China will reduce the application fees for passports and travel documents to the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SAR) from July 1, according to the country’s National Immigration Administration (NIA).
The application fee for a Chinese passport will be lowered from 160 to 120 yuan and for a Hong Kong or Macao travel document, from 80 to 60 yuan.
According to the data from the immigration authority, only 10% of Chinese citizens hold valid private passports. The fee reduction policy for passport documents will benefit a total of 65 million people each year, and the related expenses will be reduced by about two billion yuan.
China allows more to apply for passports and travel documents
In 2018, China issued 97.21 million applications for passports and travel documents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, with an increase of 12.6 percent from 2017. This year, China eased several entry-exit measures for citizens, allowing more to apply for travel documents.
According to the Henley & Partners Passport Index 2019, Asian countries dominate the raking. China rose from 71 to 67 on the list, showing a steady upward trend. Chinese passport holders enjoy visa-free or landing visa in 74 countries and regions around the world. Japan has been topped the list since last year, South Korea and Singapore ranked alongside this year.
Outbound study-tours becomes a big trend this summer
The summer overseas travel peak is expected in mid-late July and outbound study-tours will be a big trend this year, according to the Summer Tourism Consumption Trend Forecast 2019, conducted by the Chinese online travel agency Tuniu.com on June 28.
Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Maldives, Indonesia and other countries are expected to top. Short-term overseas tours are more popular among tourists’ choices, with 72% of the total outbound tours.
Outbound study-tours are popular in recent years. Britain, Japan, Australia, France and other countries will become parents-children destinations since they can travel to visit world famous schools, experience the courses, and pave the way for future study abroad.