Shenzhen airport logs record 1 million foreign entry and exit trips

(ECNS) -- More than 1 million foreigners have entered or exited China through Shenzhen Baoan International Airport so far this year, a 45% increase from 2023 and the highest figure on record for the period, local frontier inspection authorities said Tuesday.

The milestone was reached 87 days earlier than last year, placing it among the top Chinese airports in volume terms.

At 11:12 a.m. on Tuesday, an international flight from Seoul, South Korea, carrying over 140 foreign passengers arrived at the airport.

Continuously relaxed and optimized visa policies, an increasingly extensive international flight network, and the introduction of conveniences such as tax refunds for departures and electronic payments have made Shenzhen an increasingly popular "first stop" for foreigners visiting China.

"As of Monday, the total number of foreign nationals entering China we have inspected has exceeded 510,000, a year-on-year increase of over 46%," said Li Di, a staff member of the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

Among them, those entering under visa-free policies account for nearly 60%, representing year-on-year growth exceeding 143%, Li said.

Since the beginning of this year, the airport has launched or expanded multiple international routes to and from cities such as Siem Reap, Singapore, Tokyo, and Bangkok, and will soon add a route to Melbourne.

Currently, the number of international and regional destinations served by the airport exceeds 50, with a flight network covering over 30 countries and regions across five continents. There are approximately 800 inbound and outbound passenger flights per week.

(By Zhang Dongfang)