In a remarkable surge that underscores China's growing international engagement, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced that a total of 610 million entries and exits were recorded across the nation's borders in 2024. This figure represents an impressive 43.9 percent increase compared to the previous year, highlighting China's enhanced global connectivity post-pandemic.

According to the NIA, Chinese mainland residents accounted for 291 million of these movements, marking a 41.3 percent rise year-on-year.

Meanwhile, residents from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan collectively made 254 million cross-border trips, a 38.8 percent increase.

Foreign nationals contributed 64.88 million entries and exits, signifying an 82.9 percent rise, with a particularly notable increase in visa-free entries.

The number of foreign nationals entering China without a visa surged to 20.115 million, up by 112.3 percent from the previous year.

This increase is largely attributed to China's strategic expansion of its unilateral visa-free access policy, now applicable to travelers from 38 countries.

The policy permits visa-free stays of up to 30 days, a move that aims to strengthen tourism and business exchanges.

Additionally, on December 17, China announced further enhancements by introducing more ports for visa-free transit, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency.

This development is anticipated to facilitate smoother and more accessible travel options for international visitors, aligning with China's broader objective to foster increased cultural and economic exchanges.

These statistics underscore China's commitment to broadening its international ties and affirm its pivotal role in the global travel landscape.

With the easing of visa restrictions and improved transit policies, China is poised to attract a growing number of foreign visitors, further solidifying its status as a major hub for global commerce and tourism.