Imagine joining a network of 460 million travellers passing through the immigration checkpoints of the Chinese mainland between January and August 2025, a 14.9% rise compared to last year. That record-breaking tally was revealed at the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, by the National Immigration Administration (NIA).
Residents of the Chinese mainland accounted for 220 million crossings, up 15.4%, while residents from the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions and the Taiwan region made 180 million trips, an 11.2% increase. Foreign nationals crossed borders 51.27 million times—a 27.8% jump. Notably, 15.89 million of these entries were visa-free, accounting for 62.1% of all foreign crossings and reflecting a 52.1% surge year-on-year.
Transportation hubs buzzed with activity: 24.48 million vehicles passed through inspections, including 662,000 flights (+17.1%), 71,000 train trips (+4.9%), 294,000 ship voyages (+3.8%), and 23.45 million motor vehicles (+16.4%).
The NIA credits this surge to expanded openness. As policies evolve, more residents of the Chinese mainland are exploring the world, while businesspeople, students, and tourists visit for new opportunities. Streamlined procedures and visa-free access are key drivers behind the growing international footprint.
Looking ahead, the NIA plans to roll out more flexible immigration management, refine services that support national and regional strategies, and speed up border clearance. These steps aim to make travel and collaboration between residents of the Chinese mainland and global visitors smoother than ever.
Reference(s):
China sees 460 million border crossings in first eight months of 2025
cgtn.com
