China logs 15.462 million border crossings over National Day holiday, up 6.7%
In short
China's border inspection authorities handled 15.462 million entries and exits during this year's National Day holiday, a daily average of 2.209 million and 6.7% more than a year earlier, the National Immigration Administration said. Crossings peaked at 2.397 million on October 4. Outbound trips by mainland residents rose 9.3% to 4.444 million, and foreign entries rose 5.4% to 682,000.
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Border inspection authorities across China handled 15.462 million entries and exits by Chinese and foreign travellers during this year's National Day holiday, the National Immigration Administration said. That was an average of 2.209 million crossings a day, up 6.7% from the same period last year. The busiest single day was October 4, when 2.397 million crossings were recorded. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Mainland residents made 4.444 million outbound trips, an increase of 9.3% year on year. Foreigners made 682,000 entries, up 5.4%, while entries under visa-free policies totalled 505,000, up 9.2%. Border authorities also inspected 732,000 crossings by aircraft, vessels, trains and vehicles, 14.7% more than a year earlier. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
According to China News Service, border checkpoints nationwide mobilised all staff under the administration's unified deployment. They forecast passenger peaks at their ports and published warnings in advance, urging travellers to plan their trips and avoid peak times. They organised duty shifts, deployed sufficient officers and strengthened on-site guidance, and coordinated on emergency handling, crowd management and transport support during peak periods. The administration said clearance at ports nationwide was safe, efficient and smooth throughout the holiday. [ 4 ]
The figures were published on October 8. China News Service cited the immigration administration's WeChat account, CLS cited the administration's notice, and 36Kr and Jiemian credited CCTV News. Yicai's report carried the headline figures of 15.462 million crossings and a daily average of 2.209 million. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The figures, released by the immigration authority and carried by business, tech and official outlets, show cross-border travel during the holiday rising from last year's level. Entries under visa-free policies grew faster than foreign entries overall, at 9.2% against 5.4%.
Key facts
- Border inspection authorities handled 15.462 million entries and exits by Chinese and foreign travellers during the National Day holiday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The daily average was 2.209 million crossings, up 6.7% from the same period last year. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The busiest day was October 4, with 2.397 million crossings. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Mainland residents made 4.444 million outbound trips, up 9.3% year on year. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Foreigners made 682,000 entries, up 5.4%; entries under visa-free policies totalled 505,000, up 9.2%. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Inspections of aircraft, vessels, trains and vehicles crossing the border totalled 732,000, up 14.7%. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- 15.462 million entries and exits were handled during the National Day holiday, an average of 2.209 million a day. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Daily crossings were up 6.7% year on year, with a peak of 2.397 million on October 4. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Outbound trips by mainland residents rose 9.3% to 4.444 million. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Foreign entries rose 5.4% to 682,000, and visa-free entries rose 9.2% to 505,000. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Inspections of cross-border aircraft, vessels, trains and vehicles rose 14.7% to 732,000. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- The exact start and end dates of the holiday period covered by the figures. The documents do not state the dates of the holiday period.
- How many visa-free entrants came from which countries. The documents give only a total for entries under visa-free policies, with no breakdown.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS reports the immigration administration's holiday border-crossing figures. [ 1 ]
- Yicai publishes the figures under the headline of 15.462 million crossings. [ 2 ]
- 36Kr carries the figures, credited to CCTV News. [ 3 ]
- China News Service publishes the figures with details of the border checkpoints' holiday measures. [ 4 ]
- Jiemian publishes the figures, credited to CCTV News. [ 5 ]