BEIJING – China's immigration management departments have reported a significant surge in cross-border passenger traffic during the first quarter of this year. According to the National Immigration Administration, a total of 163 million cross-border passenger trips were inspected and verified, marking a substantial 15.3 percent year-on-year increase.

The administration's spokesman, Lin Yongsheng, highlighted the notable rise in foreign travelers during an online news conference. Over 17.4 million trips were made by foreigners, reflecting an impressive 33.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This surge underscores China's growing appeal as a destination for international visitors and business travelers.

Domestic travel also experienced robust growth, with residents of the Chinese mainland making 80.27 million passenger trips, and residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan contributing 65.72 million trips. Both categories witnessed year-on-year increases exceeding 10 percent, indicating strong internal mobility and regional connectivity.

A key factor driving the increase in foreign arrivals is the enhanced visa-free transit policy implemented in December of the previous year. This policy grants a 10-day visa-free stay for citizens from 54 countries transiting through China. The policy allows eligible individuals to enter China through 60 ports and stay in 24 provinces, significantly easing travel logistics and encouraging stopovers.

"The expanded visa-free transit policy, in coordination with other visa exemption policies, contributed to a significant increase in the number of foreign travelers to China," Lin stated. Data indicates that the number of incoming foreign travelers received by ports across the country had increased by approximately 40 percent to over 9.2 million by March 31 of this year. Notably, about 71 percent of these travelers entered China visa-free, demonstrating the policy's effectiveness.

Furthermore, during the January-March 2025 period, border officers issued approximately 361,000 visa documents to foreign nationals. They also facilitated domestic travel by issuing 5.15 million ordinary passports, 24.85 million documents for mainland residents traveling to Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and roughly 569,000 mainland travel permits to residents from those regions.

Authorities have pledged to continue implementing broader and more substantive measures aimed at enhancing communication and exchanges between China and the rest of the world, suggesting further policy adjustments to facilitate smoother international interactions.

Beyond facilitating legitimate travel, the first quarter also saw significant progress in combating border-control violations. Border officers tackled 2,851 criminal cases, apprehending 8,402 suspects, dismantling 127 criminal gangs, and neutralizing 16 relay dens. They also confiscated 388 transport vehicles and vessels used in illegal activities, reflecting a proactive approach to maintaining border security.

A firm stance was maintained on crimes involving guns, explosives, drug trafficking, and smuggling. From January to March, border officers successfully busted 128 drug cases, seizing 888.4 kilograms of illicit substances. Additionally, they confiscated 201 firearms and 5,463 bullets, and seized smuggled goods valued at 70.87 million yuan (approximately 9.83 million U.S. dollars), demonstrating a comprehensive effort to curb cross-border criminal activities.