As China’s visa facilitation policies, including 240-hour visa-free transit, continue to take effect, international tourists are flocking to the country, with “travel to China” remaining a major trend among global travelers. As of June 30, the number of foreign visitors entering and exiting through Beijing ports this year has exceeded 2.9 million, marking a 36.5% year-on-year increase.
In terms of foreign entry statistics, Beijing’s ports recorded 1.49 million foreign entries in the first half of the year, with over 840,000 facilitated by China’s visa-free policy and 240-hour temporary entry permit, doubling the number in the same period last year. Specifically, at the port of Beijing Daxing International Airport, over 30,000 foreign travelers have benefited from the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 82.1% compared with the previous 144-hour visa-free transit policy period. Overall, the airport has seen a nearly 60% surge in foreign arrivals compared to the same period last year.
To better serve Beijing’s high-standard opening up and high-quality development, since the start of this year, the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality has collaborated with the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other institutions to roll out a joint initiative: the special visa and customs facilitation program. As the first of its kind nationwide, this program significantly improves entry and exit efficiency for foreign business travelers in Beijing.
