Xiamen sees surge in foreign arrivals following expanded visa-free transit policy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Xiamen, a picturesque seaside city in east China's Fujian Province, has seen a significant rise in foreign arrivals following the nationwide relaxation of the visa-free transit policy.

The new policy extends the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers from the previous 72 and 144 hours to a more generous 240 hours, or 10 days.

According to statistics from Xiamen's border inspection authorities, nearly 400,000 foreign travelers have entered China through Xiamen's ports so far this year, reflecting a 65-percent increase year on year. The total inbound and outbound passenger traffic at Xiamen's ports is expected to surpass 5 million by year-end, marking a nearly 60-percent growth from the previous year and the highest level in five years.

At the Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, the number of inbound travelers has surged, with many foreign visitors arriving for tourism or business. Emily, a British linguistics graduate student at the University of Amsterdam and a former student in Xiamen, is a such traveler.

Visiting her mother, a teacher at the Xiamen International School, Emily took advantage of the streamlined visa-free transit process, which allowed her to complete the customs procedures in just 10 minutes at the airport's dedicated processing zone.

The updated policy not only spared her the need for a visa to enter China but also provided ample time for her to explore the city. Emily plans to visit the Gulangyu Island and the Wuyi Mountain scenic spot, eager to immerse herself in the region's natural beauty, cultural heritage, and local lifestyle.

"I miss it [Xiamen] a lot. The food in other countries don't really compare to the food that I had growing up here. Yesterday I went to, I got some really good dumplings from the street vendor near my house. She's always been there since five years ago," said Emily.  

To enhance the experience of foreign visitors, the Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport has implemented several initiatives. Travelers without a local SIM card can access free Wi-Fi at the airport, and a dedicated service center has been set up to help visitor overcome mobile payment challenges.

The airport has also established a volunteer team, offering translation assistance in 11 languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, and Korean.

"We've streamlined the entry process to speed up clearance. With online flight declarations, pre-approval by border inspection authorities, and on-site rapid issuance of entry documents, eligible foreign travelers can enjoy immediate processing upon arrival," said Chen Jinlai, deputy director of the Gaoqi border inspection station.

The expanded visa-free transit policy, coupled with enhanced services, is expected to attract even more international visitors to Fujian Province, showcasing its natural beauty, cultural richness, and modern development.

Xiamen sees surge in foreign arrivals following expanded visa-free transit policy

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants on Monday filed a complaint through the country's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York with the UN Security Council in response to Israel's repeated violations of its ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.

The Lebanese ministry said on social media platform X that between Nov. 27 and Dec. 22, Israel launched over 816 land and air attacks against Lebanon, shelling border villages, booby-trapping homes, destroying residential neighborhoods, and blocking roads.

Such violations have complicated Lebanon's efforts to implement the provisions of UN Resolution 1701, hindering the Lebanese army's deployment in the south and representing a serious threat to international efforts aimed at achieving regional security and stability, the ministry said in the complaint.

Lebanon has continuously shown the utmost restraint and cooperation to avoid falling back into "the hell of war", it said, urging the UN Security Council to take a firm and clear position towards Israel's violations and work to oblige it to respect its obligations.

It also called for strengthening support for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and the Lebanese army to protect Lebanon's sovereignty and help the country restore stability.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on Nov. 27, putting an end to the confrontations that erupted on Oct. 8, 2023.

Despite the agreement, there have been multiple claims of ceasefire violations by both sides. The Israeli army has continued to carry out strikes in Lebanon, though at a significantly reduced intensity, with some attacks resulting in casualties in southern and eastern Lebanon. In response, Hezbollah fired munitions into border areas once, in early December, describing the actions as retaliation for the ongoing Israeli strikes.

Lebanon files new complaint to UN Security Council over Israeli violations of ceasefire