Many travelers to Shanghai for the upcoming China International Import Expo will have a speedier time of getting into the country. Those approved for 144-hour visa-free status will have new electronic terminals to help them get through the airport faster. CGTN's Lin Nan has the details.

China's 144-hour visa-free transit policy is widely appreciated among short-term visitors to the country. And now, ahead of the China International Import Expo, it's getting an upgrade. Immigration authorities in Shanghai have announced an online pre-arrival clearance system for foreign visitors. Applicants who submit their information in advance can print forms from machines upon arrival and significantly reduce their wait time at the border.

YE JUN, DIRECTOR SHANGHAI BUREAU OF EXIT-ENTRY ADMINISTRATION "The upcoming International Expo will last 6 days. There might be a huge number of foreign travelers who will use the 144-hour visa-free policy to participate in this event in Shanghai. The online application system will be launched officially on November 1st, to benefit the Expo's participants."

That policy was introduced in Jan 2016, in cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Guangzhou, to facilitate transit for international travelers.

NINO ROMANO TRAVELER "Normally I am making Asia trip, moving from Frankfurt to Shanghai, and then to Korea and Japan mostly. And that just speed up very much, people are very friendly and it takes very small time to take me to the customs."

LIN NAN SHANGHAI "Immigration inspection officers have opened special lanes for CIIE participants to bypass queues and speed their way through the inspection process by showing their CIIE invitation."

Immigration authorities have also added 24 E-channels at the Pudong International Airport, bringing the total number to 120. Over 10 million international travelers have used them at Pudong Airport this year. That's over one third of all international arrivals.

ZHANG SU, DEPUTY TEAM LEADER SHANGHAI IMMIGRATION INSPECTION "E-channels are for electronic passport holders, most of whom are Chinese. By increasing the number of E-channels and their users, more inspection officers can be assigned to deal with foreign travelers and reduce their waiting time."

Over 180 immigration inspection officers at the airport are ready to offer services in 12 languages, helping passengers to deal with immigration questions and general enquiries.

DU WEI SHANGHAI IMMIGRATION INSPECTION "I'm very proud that we can provide warm and efficient service to international travelers right after they arrive in China."

Lin Nan, CGTN, Shanghai.