China News Service, Xiamen, April 8 (Huang Kai and Huang Qiuya) The Xiamen Entry-Exit Border Inspection General Station disclosed on the 8th that in the first quarter of this year, Fujian border inspection agencies inspected more than 1.625 million inbound and outbound passengers and more than 16,000 transportation vehicles. (Flights) increased by approximately 175% and 77% respectively year-on-year, and the overall recovery has returned to approximately 70% of the same period in 2019.
On April 1, Fuzhou Airport Border Inspection Station worked together to ensure smooth customs clearance for passengers during peak outbound passenger flow. Photo by Chen Yijun
In terms of outbound travel by mainland residents, nearly 1 million people traveled through Fujian ports in the first quarter, mainly for tourism, family visits, and business. Among them, the popularity of outbound travel continues to rise, with the top three popular destinations being Singapore, Japan, and Thailand. Since Fujian’s airport covers many Southeast Asian routes, Southeast Asia has become a popular choice for outbound travel.
On February 6, the immigration management police of Quanzhou Border Inspection Station answered inquiries from foreign passengers at Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport. Photo by Lin Zhengyan
Regarding the entry of foreigners, with the continuous optimization and adjustment of measures to facilitate foreigners coming to China, China's visa-free "circle of friends" continues to expand, and the number of foreigners coming to Fujian for business, tourism, and visiting relatives and friends has been steadily increasing. In the first quarter, Fujian ports inspected more than 272,000 foreign passengers.
On January 11 this year, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, as one of the first nine international airports in the country, implemented 24-hour direct transit without going through border inspection procedures. So far, the number of direct transit passengers at Xiamen Gaoqi Airport who are exempted from border inspection procedures has exceeded 22,000.
On March 6, Pingtan Border Inspection Station provided meticulous services to ensure quick customs clearance for international cruise passengers. Photo by Liang Zhanhao
In terms of the international cruise business, Fujian is located in the Straits Cruise Economic Circle with diverse cruise routes, which has ushered in a good development opportunity with the comprehensive recovery of the cruise economy. Xiamen International Cruise Home Port, Pingtan International Cruise Center and other ports have received rapid growth in the number of inbound and outbound international cruise passengers.
According to statistics, in the first quarter, Fujian ports inspected 18 international cruise ships and 42,000 inbound and outbound passengers, helping Fujian's cruise tourism achieve a "good start" in the first quarter.
During the Tomb Sweeping Day holiday that just passed, Fujian ports inspected a total of more than 55,000 inbound and outbound passengers and more than 600 transportation vehicles, returning to nearly 70% and over 80% of the same period in 2019 respectively. (over)