Beijing’s ports recorded more than 4.7 million border crossings in the first quarter of 2025, registering a year-on-year increase of nearly 23%. Notably, foreign nationals accounted for 1.1 million of these crossings, marking a year-on-year increase of 44%.

By March 31, the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection had handled more than 580,000 entries by foreign nationals this year. Of these, 260,000 were made under the visa-free policies, accounting for 45% of the total inbound trips made by foreigners, and representing a year-on-year increase of 140%. Nearly 18,000 eligible travelers were granted 240-hour temporary visa-free transit, marking a 13.8% increase compared with the same period before the policy was introduced. Most visits were for tourism, business and family reunions.

With the start of the summer-autumn aviation season, Beijing’s ports will open new routes and increase international flight frequencies, with the number of daily flights expected to reach around 350.

The number of international flight destinations of Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) is set to increase to 86, with nine new destinations including Prague, Edinburgh, Boston, Male, and Tijuana added. The Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) will expand its network to Ho Chi Minh City, Bandar Seri Begawan, among other cities, bringing its international flight destinations to 36. Additionally, flights to international destinations including Seoul and Hanoi will see higher frequencies.

Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection has been improving supporting measures for more efficient and pleasant frontier inspection experience. Streamlined procedures for issuing temporary entry permits are piloted at both BCIA and PKX, with dedicated lanes added to existing issuance points. At BCIA’s Terminal 3 where the passenger volume is high, inspection channels and a waiting area have been set up at the immigration inspection zone for the inbound passengers, and the mode of “simultaneous inspection for two queues” has significantly improved efficiency. Airlines are also being encouraged to offer services such as electronic boarding passes and self-printing of arrival cards for foreign nationals.

(Reporter: Zhang Lei)