Cross-border travel continues to rise, driven by policies such as “northbound travel for Hong Kong and Macau vehicles” and the expansion of “individual visa scheme” cities for mainland residents visiting Hong Kong and Macau.
According to a report from CCTV, China’s state-owned media, border crossings by Hong Kong and Macau residents reached 42.58 million, an increase of 12% compared to the same period last year. Mainland residents’ border crossings reached 56.09 million, a 14% year-on-year increase. Facilitative measures, such as “document-free” customs clearance and “multiple-entry visas,” have further promoted two-way travel.
Additionally, there has been a significant increase in the number of foreign nationals entering China through Hong Kong and Macau. Zhuhai Border Inspection Station has inspected 880,000 foreign nationals this year, with 170,000 of those entering visa-free, a substantial 79% year-on-year increase. Unilateral visa-free policies are a major factor driving the growth of foreign visitors.
