The Hainan Free Trade Port, fueled by the expanded visa-free policy, saw a boom in inbound international travelers in the first half of the year, according to a recent news conference in Haikou, Hainan province.
At the news conference, officials highlighted key achievements in border inspection work in China's southernmost province during the first half of 2026.
Balancing security and opening-up policies, the Haikou General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection streamlined foreign-related services to offer seamless travel and boost local business.
The impact of these measures was particularly evident at Sanya Phoenix International Airport, according to the news conference, where foreign inbound and outbound travelers topped 520,000 passenger trips in the first six months, accounting for 83 percent of the airport's total international traffic.
Furthermore, visa-free entries made up 97 percent of all incoming foreign visitors at the port, up 3.4 percentage points year-on-year.
As visa-free policies continue to yield strong dividends, Hainan is successfully polishing its reputation as a global hotspot — further consolidating Hainan FTP's role as a major hub for China's high-level international opening-up, according to the news conference.
