The Hunchun highway port in Jilin province has emerged as a model of cross-border efficiency and hospitality following the implementation of the China-Russia mutual visa-free policy. During the 2026 Spring Festival period, border authorities implemented comprehensive service enhancements that transformed the travel experience for thousands of passengers.
Russian tourist Oksana Kachanovskaia from Vladivostok expressed delight at receiving festive horse-themed decorative items from border officers, noting: “The visa-free policy is incredibly convenient. We’ve found China’s cities beautifully maintained with exceptional cuisine, making our holiday in Yanji and Shanghai particularly memorable.”
The border inspection station introduced multilingual officers, dedicated channels for vulnerable travelers, and family care zones to streamline processing. A specialized convenience service desk provided crucial information on visa-free stay durations and customs procedures, creating an welcoming atmosphere for international visitors.
Zhang Tingcai, returning from work in Russia, remarked on the immediate sense of festive atmosphere upon crossing the border. “The moment I returned to my country, I felt the strong new year spirit,” he observed.
To manage increased passenger volume during the holiday period, the station implemented an advanced reservation system for large tour groups and established a classified channel inspection mechanism with line-buffering zones. The deepened collaboration with customs authorities through data sharing and single declarations at unified service counters significantly reduced processing times.
Deputy Director Zheng Mingya of the station’s first duty team emphasized the commitment of border personnel: “While Spring Festival represents family reunion time, we stand as guardians of the national border. Seeing travelers pass through safely and smoothly makes our service particularly meaningful.”
The human element remained central to operations, with probationary officer Li Jiaxin noting: “Though I missed my family in Songyuan, protecting the national border means safeguarding the reunions of millions of families.” The station supported staff with organized duty shifts, necessary supplies, and cultural activities.
These improvements build on record-breaking 2025 figures that saw the port process over 700,000 travelers and inspect more than 70,000 vehicles. According to Instructor Li Bingchi of the first duty team, the 2026 Spring Festival period demonstrated the station’s continued commitment to “optimizing service measures to ensure convenient, safe, and smooth entry and exit for all travelers.”