China saw 30 pct increase in border crossings in Q3

BEIJING -- Border inspection agencies across China recorded 160 million entries and exits during the third quarter of this year, representing a year-on-year increase of 30.1 percent, according to the National Immigration Administration.

A total of 8.186 million inbound trips were made by foreigners, up 48.8 percent from the same period last year. Of these trips, 4.885 million were made visa-free, a year-on-year increase of 78.6 percent, data from the administration showed.

In July, China issued new visa-free entry and transit policies, granting 144-hour visa-free entry to foreigners visiting the southern island province of Hainan via tour groups registered in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

Additionally, the country's 144-hour visa-free transit policy has been expanded to three more entry ports in Central China's Henan province and Southwest China's Yunnan province.