Hainan sees over threefold rise in visa-free visitors

More than 350,000 international visitors entered Hainan province visa-free last year, a 283 percent increase year-on-year, according to Yu Wenzhong, deputy director of the Office of the Free Trade Port Working Committee of the Communist Party of China Hainan Provincial Committee.

Yu shared the data during a news conference during Hainan's annual sessions of people's congress and political consultative conference on Wednesday in Haikou, the provincial capital. The official attributed the spike to the nation's optimized and enhanced visa-free entry policy for foreign visitors.

On Feb 9 last year, the National Immigration Administration announced the new visa-free entry policy for citizens from 59 countries who want to visit Hainan, expanding the purposes of such visits from tourism to include short-term stays for business, trade, family visits, medical treatment, exhibitions and sports competitions.

Later, on July 30, the administration announced the implementation of a 144-hour visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups entering Hainan from Hong Kong and Macao. According to the policy, citizens from countries with diplomatic relations with China and holding ordinary passports can enjoy visa-free travel to Hainan for up to 144 hours after arriving in either of the special administrative regions.

On Dec 17, the administration further relaxed and optimized transit visa-free policy, extending the duration of such stays for foreign nationals to 240 hours. Hainan became a beneficiary of this policy, with Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport designated as additional entry ports. Eligible overseas travelers transiting through Hainan are permitted to engage in activities across the entire province during their stay.

Hainan Governor Liu Xiaoming highlighted the province's entry and exit policies, describing them as "the most favorable nationwide" during his government work report on Tuesday.

Last year, Hainan unveiled 77 international air routes, with Qionghai Boao International Airport inaugurated as the third international airport in the island province.

These routes connect international passenger flights to nearly 40 cities across Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Russian tourist Anastasia Smirnov, who is visiting Sanya with her family on a monthlong trip, praised the seamless travel experience facilitated by direct flights and visa-free policies.

"I truly adore the delightful weather, breathtaking beaches, delicious cuisine and welcoming locals here," she said. "I even experienced traditional Chinese acupuncture, which was both calming and beneficial for my well-being."

Since November last year, Hainan has hosted a series of sports events and entertainment activities. The inaugural marathon in Boao, Qionghai city, drew nearly 10,000 runners from nine countries, including the United States, Singapore and Malaysia. Foreign athletes and enthusiasts participating in these events can take advantage of the visa-free policies to explore and enjoy their time in the province.

"Over 80 percent of foreign visitors now enter the island province visa-free," said Rao Jun, deputy director of the exit-entry border inspection department at the Haikou General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.

He emphasized efforts to enhance policy implementation through infrastructure upgrades at ports of entry.

"The number of passenger inspection channels has surged from 39 to 98, with 44 expedited immigration lanes currently in operation," Rao said.