China looks to the British Virgin Islands (BVI)
in several respects. From an economic perspective, China has been
the BVI's trading partner for many years. According to a report
entitled "Creating Value: BVI's Global Contribution"
by independent economics consultancy Capital Economics, as of
December 2016, two-fifths of all BVI Business Companies were
located in China and the rest of Asia. The figure is estimated to
have increased further in the meantime, particularly given the wave
of developments in China and the countries under China's Belt
and Road Initiative.
In recognition of the significant numbers of BVI companies being
used as structures for investments into or originating from
mainland China, the BVI government recently enacted legislative
measures which have made it easier for Chinese individuals to visit
the BVI. In particular, the visa exemption order dated 5 July 2018
(Order) made under Section 37(4) of the
Immigration and Passport Act allows a national
