Hong Kong lawmakers fast-track Huanggang Port bill, paving way for 24-hour co-located immigration checks
Cathay Pacific to make Madrid daily and plugs Hong Kong into four new Latin American cities via Iberia codeshare
China Eastern inaugurates Beijing Daxing–Bali nonstop, opening first direct link from the capital to Indonesia’s top resort island
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UK Foreign Office updates China travel advice, adds drone rules and typhoon guidance
On 15 July the UK FCDO revised its China travel advice, inserting stricter guidance on drone permits and reminding visitors of typhoon-season disruptions. Businesses must obtain local licences before flying drones for commercial purposes and plan for weather-related travel delays.
Record 369 million border crossings logged in H1 2026, NIA reports
The National Immigration Administration said on 15 July it handled 369 million cross-border trips in the first half of 2026—up 10.8 percent year-on-year and an all-time high. Foreign entries grew 20 percent, with nearly four in five visitors using China’s new visa-free schemes. The figures highlight a broad recovery in business mobility but also raise compliance issues around visa-free stay limits and truck-driver rotations.
New Huanggang Check-point Enters Final Testing, Promising 5-Minute Shenzhen-Hong Kong Clearance
The rebuilt Huanggang Port, now the world’s largest land-border building, finished equipment tests this week. Its one-stop, biometric clearance lanes could slash Shenzhen–Hong Kong crossing times to five minutes and support 24-hour operations, significantly easing business commuting in the Greater Bay Area.
Beijing Capital Airport projects 12 million-plus passengers over summer peak
Beijing Capital International Airport expects to handle more than 12 million passengers and 73,000 flights during the July-August peak, with the first week of August set to see record daily volumes. International demand is rebounding fastest, helped by China’s visa-free policies and restored long-haul routes. Extra e-gates and border-control desks aim to keep queues under 30 minutes, but mobility planners should prepare staff for congestion and book early for August events.
UK names new Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong, signalling deeper commercial engagement
On 15 July the UK appointed veteran diplomat Kate Harrisson as its new Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong. Her arrival, after a successful UK-China JETCO meeting this month, is expected to catalyse more UK trade missions and could pave the way for streamlined visa facilitation for Chinese executives.
Greek consulate reopens visa centres across South China, easing Schengen backlog
Greece’s Guangzhou consulate announced on 15 July that its visa application centres in five South China cities have fully reopened, ending months of capacity restrictions. All Schengen applications from the region must now be submitted through the relevant VAC, with expanded biometric slots and express options reinstated—welcome news for firms sending staff to Greece or the wider EU.
Huanggang/Lok Ma Chau 24-hour border to debut ‘co-operative inspection’ on 31 July
Hong Kong on 15 July confirmed that the rebuilt Huanggang/Lok Ma Chau border control point will come online at midnight on 31 July, using a single-hall, “one stop” clearance model. Processing capacity quadruples and clearance time is expected to drop to five minutes, sharply improving daily commuting and cargo flows between Hong Kong and Shenzhen’s tech hubs. Firms should update travel policies and remind staff that health-declaration rules still apply.
Germany flags heavy-rain risks in updated China travel advisory
Berlin updated its China travel advice on 15 July, adding warnings about flight and rail disruption caused by heavy rains following Typhoon Bavi while keeping 30-day visa-free entry unchanged. German employers should prepare for transport delays and remind travellers to complete China’s e-arrival form.
China logs record 369 million cross-border trips in H1 2026 as visa-free arrivals jump 30%
China processed a record 369 million border crossings in the first half of 2026; foreign entries rose 20.6 % and visa-free arrivals jumped 30.6 % to 17.8 million. The data show Beijing’s expanded 30-day visa-waiver scheme and regional exemptions are driving a robust rebound in business and leisure travel—critical intelligence for companies restarting China assignments and short-term visits.
Cathay Pacific Adds Four Latin-American Cities to Network via Iberia Code-Share
From late October, Cathay Pacific customers can book single-ticket itineraries from Hong Kong and mainland feeders to four new Latin American cities via Madrid, thanks to a fresh code-share with Iberia. The tie-up broadens market access for Chinese firms and offers travellers a US-visa-free routing to South America.
China mobilises transport recovery after Typhoon Bavi; e-gates and visa services back online
Chinese ministries released emergency funds and reopened airports, highways and e-gates on 15 July as Typhoon Bavi weakened. Airlines are allowing free rebooking, and immigration will forgive short overstays, smoothing travel for business visitors caught by the storm.
Gongbei land port tops 31 million daily crossings as GBA summer tourism booms
CNTour reported on 15 July that Zhuhai’s Gongbei checkpoint is processing more than 31 million border crossings a day, buoyed by summer holiday travel and Macau events. All e-gates are open and special lanes introduced, but corporates should anticipate weekend congestion and pre-enrol staff for e-channels.