An officer handles entry procedures for a passenger from Australia at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, in Southwest China's Chongqing, July 2, 2024. (Photo/Xinhua)

Chongqing - Chongqing has seen an increase in cross-border travel this year, reflecting the city's growing international connectivity and the steady resumption of global air routes.

According to data released on July 3 by the Chongqing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, the agency handled more than 1.14 million inbound and outbound trips in the first half of 2025, representing a 35% increase compared with the same period in 2024. Over 8,600 international flights were inspected, up 23% year-on-year.

More than 300,000 outbound trips by residents from the Chinese mainland were recorded at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, with travelers heading to 163 countries and regions. The top five destinations were Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Italy, with tourism, employment, and study cited as the main purposes of travel.

The continuous optimization of visa-free transit policies has also fueled a surge in inbound foreign visitors. In the first six months of the year, Chongqing processed more than 330,000 inbound and outbound trips by foreign nationals, accounting for about 30% of total cross-border passenger traffic and reflecting a growth rate approaching 140%. Nearly 117,000 entries were made under visa-free entry or transit policies, representing around 70% of all inbound foreign arrivals. Most visitors came from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea.

The general station has rolled out several measures to improve clearance efficiency and service quality in preparation for the summer peak season. A "pre-arrival foreigner entry" system allows airlines and travel agencies to help passengers complete entry documentation before landing. This process enables advance verification so travelers can proceed quickly through inspection upon arrival.

To ensure adequate staffing, the general station has adopted a flexible deployment strategy, including cross-posting officers and staggering shifts, in order to keep inspection lanes fully operational.

Additionally, multilingual materials, such as a guide to China's visa-free policies, are being distributed at border checkpoints and the airport's International Travelers Service Center.

Officers have also launched outreach programs to deliver policy information directly to the community, sending staff to private businesses and foreign student groups in Chongqing to explain entry-exit regulations and procedures.

A 24/7 immigration inquiry hotline—12367—is available to provide multilingual assistance for travelers with questions about border clearance, helping to create a safe and efficient port clearance environment.