China records 26.8% increase in visa-free foreign entries — ECNS
China recorded 23.72 million visa-free entries by foreign nationals from January to August 2026, up 26.8% from the same period last year. They accounted for 77.6% of the total number of foreign national arrivals, ECNS reports.
The data were released on September 10 at a sub-forum on cooperation in migration management held as part of the 2026 Global Public Security Cooperation Forum Conference. The event took place in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, eastern China.
Border crossings
China's border services processed 499 million cross-border trips in the first eight months of the year, up 8.7% year-on-year. Mainland Chinese residents accounted for 242 million trips, residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan for 196 million, and foreign nationals for 61.287 million.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The number of trips by mainland Chinese residents increased by 10%, by residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan by 8.9%, and by foreigners by 19.5% compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
Transport movements
From January to August, border control processed 28.148 million vehicle movements, up 15% from last year. These included 665,000 aircraft movements, up 0.5% year-on-year; 75,000 trains, up 5.6%; 306,000 vessels, up 4.1%; and 27.102 million road vehicles, up 15.6%.
A representative of China's National Immigration Administration said the agency continues to introduce measures to facilitate entry and exit travel for Chinese citizens and foreigners. The administration also plans to improve the efficiency of border controls for people, cargo and transport.
