Chinese visitors are set to benefit from a simplified visa application process for entry to the UK.
Chancellor George Osborne announced the changes to the current visa requirements during a trade mission to China.
Under the plans, Chinese visitors to the EU will no longer have to submit separate UK visa applications if they book with certain travel agencies.
Osborne said: "These changes will streamline and simplify the visa application process for Chinese visitors, while ensuring the system is strong and secure. This is good news for British business and tourism."
The UK lags behind most of its European competitors in attracting Chinese visitors, due at least in part to these complicated visa requirements.
A mobile visa scheme already in operation in Beijing and Shanghai will also be extended, and a new 24-hour “super-priority” visa service will be introduced from 2014.
According to UK government figures, 210,000 visas were issued to Chinese citizens last year, with visits contributing around £300 million to the UK economy.
Osborne said in a speech to students at Peking University: “We want to collaborate with China and Chinese businesses in areas like technology, bioscience, green energy and third generation nuclear power that are at the cutting edge of the world economy.”