China’s strategic implementation of visa waiver policies has catalyzed a remarkable upswing in international travel, fostering deeper global connections and cultural exchanges. As of November 2025, Beijing’s ports have processed 19.35 million inbound and outbound travelers, reflecting an 18% year-on-year increase. Notably, foreign nationals accounted for 5.78 million of these movements, a staggering 35% rise, with 60% benefiting from visa exemption or temporary entry permits. This trend is mirrored across the nation. In Xiamen, Fujian province, passenger numbers exceeded 5.4 million, including a record-breaking 960,000 foreign nationals. Inland cities like Datong, Shanxi province, have also seen unprecedented growth, with annual passenger volumes surpassing 50,000, supported by new international air routes to Moscow and Seoul. Shen Wenjuan, head of the Gaoqi frontier inspection station, highlighted the role of innovative travel models such as ‘visa-free + cruise’ packages in driving this growth. Additionally, the introduction of an online arrival card system on November 20 has streamlined the entry process, allowing travelers to complete formalities before departure and present a QR code for swift clearance. Marcia Raquel, a Portuguese traveler at Beijing Daxing International Airport, praised the system’s efficiency. Since December 2023, China has progressively expanded its unilateral visa-free entry trials, initially for six countries, to now include 48 nations and establish mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 countries. Furthermore, the addition of 10 airports to the 24-hour direct transit ports list since November 5 has enhanced international connectivity, with 65 entry ports now offering 240-hour visa-free transit. These measures have significantly reshaped China’s global interactions, as evidenced by the National Immigration Administration’s report of 178 million inbound and outbound passenger trips in the third quarter of 2025, with Chinese mainland residents accounting for 89.37 million. This vibrant two-way flow underscores the success of China’s visa facilitation initiatives.