Hangzhou Launches First Direct Service to Busan, Adding Four Weekly Frequencies
China to Upgrade 43 Key Ports into ‘Smart Ports’ to Deliver Seamless Border Crossings
SCO Foreign-Ministers Meeting Triggers Surge in Diplomatic Travel as China Sends Delegation to Kyrgyzstan
Latest News
Qingdao–Taichung Direct Flights Resume After Seven-Year Hiatus
Shandong Airlines restarted its Qingdao–Taichung service on 23 July, restoring a direct link that cuts travel time to 2.5 hours and boosts business connectivity between Shandong’s manufacturing hub and central Taiwan’s precision-machinery cluster.
Chinese Embassy in Morocco Suspends Consular Services 23–24 July for Technical Upgrade
China’s embassy in Morocco has closed its consular section on 23–24 July for a system upgrade, delaying visa and document processing. Affected applicants will be re-scheduled for 27 July, and urgent travellers are advised to contact the mission immediately.
China–Philippines Confrontation Near Scarborough Shoal Raises Travel and Shipping Risk
A fresh encounter between Chinese and Philippine vessels at Scarborough Shoal on 23 July adds to this week’s maritime tensions, heightening operational risks for commercial shipping and potential flight re-routing. Firms with staff or cargo moving through the South China Sea should prepare for inspections, insurance premium increases and possible itinerary changes.
China’s 30-Day Visa-Free Scheme Updated—50 Countries Now Eligible After Mid-Year Revision
A 22 July 2026 policy roundup confirms China’s unilateral 30-day visa-free entry now covers 50 countries, with the UK and Canada the latest additions. The clarification simplifies travel logistics for eligible passport holders and slashes lead times for short-term assignments, but employers must still ensure travellers register their address and avoid any work activity while in visa-free status.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport Tops China in International Passenger Volume
Pudong International Airport processed more than 20 million border crossings by 19 July 2026, the highest of any Chinese airport. Foreign arrivals grew 22 percent year-on-year to 3.29 million, fuelled by China’s visa-free pilot and a spike in international events. The 24-hour direct-transit scheme handled 2.28 million passengers, underscoring Pudong’s value as a regional hub for business travel.
Shanghai Pudong Airport Tops 20 Million International Crossings, Cementing Role as China’s Primary Gateway
Shanghai Pudong International Airport has processed more than 20 million international passenger crossings so far in 2026—China’s highest—driven by expanded visa-free policies and a surge in trade-fair traffic. The hub handled 3.29 million foreign arrivals and 2.28 million 24-hour transit passengers, underscoring its importance for global companies moving staff into China. New fast-track e-gates and a dedicated MICE channel further reduce clearance times, making PVG the preferred entry point for business travelers and assignees.
Hongqiao Airport Handles 210,000 Border Crossings in July Surge
Shanghai’s centrally located Hongqiao International Airport has already processed over 210,000 border crossings and nearly 1,000 flights this month, Shanghai border police reported on 22 July 2026. Family travel and study tours dominate, but business-jet movements grew 8 percent year-on-year, triggering expanded fast-track and real-time staffing measures.
Thunderstorms Snarl China’s Aviation Hubs—4,461 Flights Delayed or Cancelled Ahead of 22 July Weekend
Severe thunderstorms ahead of the 22 July weekend disrupted 4,461 flights at Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, causing lengthy delays, missed connections and some cancellations. Although weather delays do not trigger statutory cash compensation, carriers must still feed, lodge or reroute stranded passengers. Businesses should lengthen transit buffers and watch for potential overstay risks among workers using China’s 24-hour visa-free transit rule.
CAAC Publishes Seventh-Batch Airport-Engineering Licence Applications, Signalling Next Wave of Chinese Hub Expansion
China’s aviation regulator has opened a one-week comment period on the seventh batch of airport-engineering qualification applications for 2026. Companies that pass will be allowed to design and build runways, terminals and navigation systems—projects that will dictate where new international routes and cargo links emerge over the next three years. Global employers should watch the approvals because faster infrastructure roll-outs translate directly into better flight options for relocating staff and air-freight.