In the first three quarters of this year, more than 5.72 million people entered and exited through Fujian ports, a year-on-year increase of 60.2%.

According to statistics from the Xiamen Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station, a total of 5.726 million people were inspected at Fujian’s border checkpoints in the first three quarters of 2024, reflecting a remarkable year-on-year increase of 60.2%.

On July 11, at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, immigration officers at the Gaoqi Border Inspection Station were reviewing information related to the 144-hour visa-free transit policy for foreign nationals.

In terms of cross-strait exchanges, the surge in travel between Fujian and Taiwan was influenced by several factors, including an increased number of round-trip flights, concentrated holidays during the first three quarters, and numerous events promoting exchanges between the two sides. The total number of travelers crossing between Fujian and Taiwan reached 1.424 million during this period, with 650,000 Taiwanese nationals entering Fujian, marking increases of 74.6% and 73.5% respectively. Additionally, 304,000 Taiwanese travelers benefited from expedited customs services, and nearly 13,000 vessels traveling between the two regions enjoyed 24/7 customs clearance. Specifically, over 3,400 direct flights between Fujian and Taiwan were inspected, bringing in 502,000 passengers, while more than 6,400 passenger ferries recorded 937,000 travelers. On October 13, the Xiamen-Jinmen ferry service exceeded 5,000 inspected travelers in a single day, setting the highest record since the resumption of operations in 2023.

On the international front, nearly 400,000 foreign tourists entered through Fujian’s ports in the first three quarters, an impressive 118.2% increase from the same period in 2023. Among these, 134,000 entered visa-free, a staggering increase of over nineteen times, accounting for about 33.6% of all inbound foreign visitors. The majority of these tourists came for sightseeing, followed by visiting family and friends, attending conferences, business engagements, work, and study.

Outbound tourism has also seen a continued rise in popularity. Throughout the first three quarters, Fuzhou Changle International Airport resumed several routes, including Fuzhou-Seoul, Fuzhou-Jeju Island, Fuzhou-New York, Fuzhou-Kota Kinabalu, and Fuzhou-Naha, bringing the total international routes to 18. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport launched a new route to the Maldives, increasing its international connections to 26, while Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport reinstated routes to Nha Trang, Bangkok, and Vientiane. In terms of international cruises, the Gaoqi Border Inspection Station has facilitated 14 cruise voyages from the Xiamen International Cruise Center, processing over 56,000 inbound and outbound travelers. Additionally, the Pingtan Border Inspection Station completed customs checks for 5 cruise voyages from Pingtan, allowing 14,000 travelers to cross.

To address the rapid increase in incoming and outgoing traffic at ports and ensure smooth and safe customs clearance, the Xiamen Border Inspection Station has deployed measures for real-time monitoring of passenger flows. They are actively positioning sufficient personnel, maximizing inspection channels, and innovating inspection methods to enhance their customs facilitation capabilities.