China has witnessed a remarkable 129.9 percent increase in foreign visitors in the first seven months of this year, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA). A total of 17.25 million foreign nationals entered the Chinese mainland during this period, signaling a robust rebound in international travel and tourism.
This surge in visitors has significantly boosted China’s economy, contributing over 100 billion yuan (approximately $14 billion) in consumption. On average, each foreign visitor spent nearly 3,500 yuan per day, as reported by Liu Haitao, deputy head of the NIA, during a recent press conference.
The impressive growth is attributed to a series of measures aimed at facilitating the entry of foreigners. One such initiative is the expansion of port visa services. Between January and July, 846,000 port visas were issued to foreign nationals who required urgent entry into China but lacked sufficient time to apply for visas at embassies or consulates abroad—a 183 percent increase year on year.
To further streamline the process, foreign nationals can now submit port visa applications in advance to visa authorities at ports of entry, either personally or through inviting parties. Alternatively, they can apply upon arrival, making it more convenient for those with last-minute travel plans.
The NIA also reported that China recorded a total of 341 million cross-border trips during the same period, marking a 62.34 percent rise compared to the previous year. This uptick reflects China’s ongoing efforts to promote high-level opening up and enhance international exchanges and cooperation.
Notably, the 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit policies have played a significant role in this growth. These policies have facilitated smoother entry for short-term visitors and have been instrumental in fostering people-to-people exchanges. The NIA has pledged to continue improving and optimizing these policies, welcoming foreign visitors with an even more open mind.
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China reports 129.9-percent growth of foreign visitors this year
cgtn.com
