China to grant visa-free policy to nationals from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay

China will extend its visa-free policy to nationals of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay, putting some of Latin America's largest economies on equal footing with many European and Asian countries.

The visa-free arrangement will be effective from June 1 for a year, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday during a regular press conference.

Brazil, Argentina and Chile are among the top five biggest economies in their region.

Travel to China has been visa-free for most European countries as well as its neighbours Japan and South Korea since last year.

The announcement came after a high-profile forum among Chinese and Latin American and Caribbean officials in Beijing earlier this week.