(ECNS) — The Shanghai Pudong International Airport has welcomed 2.25 million foreign arrivals so far this year, the highest among all airport ports in China, statistics of the airport showed.

As of 11 a.m. on Aug. 29, the border inspection authorities have inspected more than 20 million inbound and outbound travelers, also ranking first among all ports in the country. This doubles the figure for the same period last year, an increase of 20 percent compared with the total of 2023.

The inbound tourism boom is largely attributed to China’s unilateral visa-free policies, its mutual visa exemption agreements with other countries and the latest customs clearance facilitation measures implemented by the National Immigration Administration, such as expanding the 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 entry ports and applying it to travelers from 54 countries.

Data also showed that over 50 percent of foreigners came to Shanghai for the purposes of traveling, visiting relatives or business. A total of 600,000 foreigners have enjoyed visa-free entry into China, nearly nine times higher than the figure for the same period last year.

Besides, the border inspection station at Shanghai Pudong International Airport has issued 160,000 temporary entry permits for eligible travelers under the 24/144-hour transit visa-free policy and provided direct transit services to 950,000 passengers.

With the favorable exit-entry policies, the resumption and launch of more international flights, the number of international flights and passenger throughput at the Pudong airport has grown rapidly, with daily inbound and outbound flights surging to an average of 520.

Shanghai, one of the most popular destinations for international travelers, is emerging as the “first stop” for inbound travelers to China.