China's border inspection agencies handled 697 million inbound and outbound crossings in 2025, marking a 14.2 percent year-on-year increase and a record high, official data showed.

Of the total, international visitors made over 82 million crossings, a 26.4 percent increase year on year. Of these, visa-free entries totaled nearly 30.1 million, or 73.1 percent of all international arrivals, jumping 49.5 percent from the previous year, the National Immigration Administration said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

Mainland residents accounted for 335 million trips and residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan made 279 million, up 15.1 percent and 10.1 percent respectively from 2024, the administration said.

Currently, China offers visa-free entry to citizens of 76 countries. Plus, travelers from 55 countries can take advantage of a 240-hour visa-free transit policy at 65 different entry points.

(Cover: File photo of passengers waiting in line at the airport. /VCG)