The Hainan Free Trade Port recorded more than 1.65 million international trips during the first six months after the launch of island-wide special customs operations, reflecting continued policy benefits and the province's growing international appeal.

According to the Haikou General Station of Immigration Inspection, Hainan handled a total of 1.654 million inbound and outbound trips between Dec. 18, 2025, when island-wide special customs operations officially began, and 00:00 on June 18, 2026, up 31.2 percent year on year.

During the same period, the province recorded 913,000 inbound and outbound trips by foreign nationals, representing a year-on-year increase of 36.1 percent.

The steadily rising figures underscore the growing vitality of the Hainan FTP and the island province’s expanding network of international connections.

At around 12:30 p.m. on June 17, flights OD614 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and HU706 from Hong Kong, China landed at Haikou Meilan International Airport. A total of 316 passengers disembarked and proceeded through customs and immigration following bilingual Chinese-English signage.

At the airport's Terminal 2 arrival hall, all nine manual inspection counters and 12 automated clearance channels were in operation. Improved biometric information collection systems helped ensure efficient and smooth border clearance procedures.

"Visa-free entry was very fast," said Yun, a Malaysian tour group leader, praising the efficiency of the process, who was taking a group of 30 travelers on a four-day, three-night trip across Hainan.

Canadian traveler Huang, who arrived in Hainan from Hong Kong the same day, said the province felt both familiar and transformed compared with his previous visit four or five years ago.

"Border clearance is much faster this time. I can truly feel the speed of the Free Trade Port," he said.

Huang also expressed confidence in Hainan's development prospects, noting that the free and convenient movement of people and cross-border capital flows creates tangible benefits for international trade and business activities.

Since the launch of special customs operations, travelers from 86 countries have been eligible to enter Hainan visa-free. At the same time, the province's international aviation network is expanding, and now includes passenger routes linking key destinations across Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

The combination of visa-free policies and an increasingly extensive air route network has made it easier for international visitors to travel to Hainan for vacations, family visits, healthcare services, exhibitions, conferences, and business investment.

To further improve services at ports of entry, Hainan offers facilitation measures such as 24-hour visa-free transit, online arrival cards, and online applications for group tourist visas.

Authorities have also improved inspection facilities, streamlined clearance procedures, and simplified administrative processes to minimize waiting times and improve the overall travel experience.