Foreign arrivals to China rise 27% after 240-hour visa-free transit policy

(ECNS) — The number of foreign nationals entering China increased 27% year on year in the first year following the implementation of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, a public security official said Thursday.

Zhang Ming, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Public Security, said at a press conference in Beijing that a total of 40.6 million foreign entries were recorded nationwide during the past year, with the number of travelers benefiting from the 240-hour visa-free transit policy increasing by 61% compared with the period before policy optimization.

The number of countries eligible for visa-free transit has expanded to 55, while the number of applicable entry ports has increased to 65, injecting new vitality into the country's opening-up and development, Zhang said.

(By Evelyn)