Airport staff help foreign passengers through the procedures. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

As of Dec 3, the number of inbound and outbound passengers at Xiamen Port this year has exceeded 5.5 million. Among them, the number of inbound and outbound foreign passengers has surpassed 1 million for the first time, marking a year-on-year increase of over 13 percent and setting a new annual record for the port in foreign passenger volume.

Unlike in the past when foreign passengers had to queue to fill out paper arrival cards, most now complete their entry information online before their flight takes off. Upon arrival at the port, they can proceed directly to the immigration counter to complete entry procedures. The checkpoint is also equipped with an AI-powered interactive terminal that supports real-time translation in over 30 languages, facilitating communication between foreign passengers and staff.

As the popularity of China as a travel destination continues to climb, the number of foreign nationals entering through Xiamen Port under visa exemption policies has exceeded 330,000 this year, representing a year-on-year growth of over 35 percent. This accounts for 60 percent of the total inbound foreign passengers during the same period. 

The convenience of visa exemption has become a significant factor attracting foreign visitors to China. In terms of passenger origin distribution, foreign travelers from Malaysia, Singapore,South Korea, Indonesia, and Australia rank among the top sources entering via Xiamen Port.

Data shows that the number of 240-hour temporary entry permits issued at Xiamen Port this year has increased more than threefold compared to the same period last year.