Britain eases its visa regime for Chinese tourists

Britain's travel and retail industries welcomed new measures that significantly relax visa rules for Chinese tourists.

Chinese visitors are currently issued a six-month tourist visa that costs 85 pounds ($131). Under the new rules, which start in January, the visa will provide multiple entries to the UK over two years without the need for extra paperwork or expenditure.

British Prime Minister David Cameron announced the new policy on Wednesday during the state visit of President Xi Jinping.