Hong Kong Gazettes Bill for Joint Immigration Checks at Upgraded Shenzhen Crossing
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan Pledges Wider Visa-Free Entry and More Direct Flights
China Extends 30-Day Visa-Free Entry for 77 Countries to 31 December 2026
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Xinhua Spotlight: China Accelerates ‘Smart Border’ Roll-Out to Meet Record Travel Demand
Facing record cross-border volumes, China has accelerated deployment of e-gates, online entry cards and risk-based cargo channels. Travellers using major airports and Guangdong land ports can now clear immigration in seconds, while exporters benefit from faster vessel turnaround. Businesses should integrate the new digital tools into travel workflows.
Riyadh Air Wins CAAC Approval for Seven Weekly Flights to Beijing and Shanghai
Start-up carrier Riyadh Air has secured CAAC approval for thrice-weekly Riyadh–Beijing and four-times-weekly Riyadh–Shanghai flights, adding seven non-stop links between Saudi Arabia and China. The new services promise shorter journey times for business travellers, fresh cargo capacity and heightened competition on a fast-growing corridor.
China Formally Extends 30-Day Visa-Free Entry Scheme to 31 December 2026
China has pushed the expiry of its 30-day visa-free entry scheme for nationals of 17 countries to 31 December 2026. The move provides cost and planning certainty for firms sending staff on short-term business trips, though work visa requirements remain unchanged.
‘Shanghai Summer’ Campaign Partners with Visa to Make Payments Easier for Overseas Visitors
Shanghai’s summer promotion has teamed up with Visa to roll out dual-currency QR codes and instant virtual cards, making everyday payments far easier for foreign visitors and assignees. The initiative supports the city’s push to convert record inbound arrivals into consumer spending.
China Handles Record 369 Million Border Crossings in First Half of 2026
The National Immigration Administration says China processed a record 369 million border crossings in H1 2026, with foreign arrivals—especially visa-free entries—rising sharply. The data confirm that China’s mobility rebound is gaining pace and that companies can confidently scale up travel and assignment plans.
Malaysia Airlines Expands China Network with New Shenzhen and Changsha Services
Malaysia Airlines announced on 13 July that it has begun daily Kuala Lumpur flights to Shenzhen (1 July) and Changsha (8 July), expanding its China network to nine cities. The services tap into the Malaysia–China reciprocal 30-day visa-free scheme and offer new connectivity for business travellers moving between ASEAN and China’s technology and manufacturing centres.
China’s Railways Move 23.48 Billion Passengers in H1 2026 as Cross-Border Services Climb
State Railway Group carried a record 2.348 billion passengers in H1 2026, with cross-border lines to Laos and Hong Kong showing double-digit growth. Enhanced capacity, themed trains and new immigration-friendly services give businesses more reliable low-carbon options versus congested domestic flights.
Typhoon “Bavi” Grounds Hundreds of Flights and Shuts Key Eastern China Airports
Typhoon Bavi forced more than 1,000 flight cancellations on 12 July and another 100 on 13 July, paralysing eastern China’s main international gateways. Rail and metro suspensions compounded disruption, reminding companies of the need for alternative routing and robust duty-of-care protocols during typhoon season.
Visa-Waiver Boom Pushes Foreign Travelers Beyond China’s Tier-1 Cities
Booking data released on 13 July show foreign travellers are using China’s expanded 30-day visa-waiver scheme to fly to 160 mainland cities—well beyond Beijing and Shanghai. Secondary and inland markets such as Chongqing, Hangzhou and Kashgar recorded some of the fastest growth. The trend broadens options for business travellers and signals new opportunities (and compliance obligations) for companies with operations outside China’s coastal hubs.
Cambodian Prime Minister to Lead Large Delegation to Shanghai World AI Conference
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will visit China 15-17 July and deliver a keynote speech at Shanghai’s 2026 World AI Conference, officials confirmed on 13 July. The large delegation will use China’s 30-day visa-free entry and is expected to sign cooperation deals that could enhance talent mobility between the two countries.
Visa-Free Policies Push Overseas Visitors Beyond China’s Big Four Gateways
Qunar’s mid-year data show China’s newer visa-free and transit-free rules are channeling foreign visitors to 160 cities—well beyond Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Secondary and inland destinations posted the fastest growth, opening fresh possibilities for corporates seeking to diversify manufacturing footprints and client visits.
Typhoon Disruptions Force Cancellation of 100 Domestic Flights on 13 July
CCTV reports that about 100 flights were cancelled across mainland China on 13 July as Typhoon Bavi’s remnants swept east and north. The disruption hit Shanghai, Beijing, Hefei and Nanjing airports hardest, underscoring the importance of weather-related contingency planning for business travellers.
Northern China Shuts Schools and Tourist Sites as Typhoon Bavi Floods Liaoning and Hebei
On 13 July Liaoning and Hebei activated emergency plans as a weakened Typhoon Bavi flooded roads and forced the closure of schools, construction sites and nearly 100 tourist attractions. The measures, aimed at safeguarding residents and visitors, are disrupting regional business travel at the height of China’s summer season.
China Processes Record 369 Million Border Crossings in First Half of 2026
National Immigration Administration data released 13 July show 369 million border crossings in H1 2026—a record—and a 30 percent jump in visa-free foreign entries. The rebound signals near-full normalisation of China-related business travel and underlines the operational benefits of the country’s expanded visa-waiver regime.