Inbound passengers queue through customs clearance at the Harbin Taiping International Airport in Heilongjiang province. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

The number of inbound and outbound passengers at the Harbin Taiping International Airport in Heilongjiang province in 2024 has exceeded 500,000, a year-on-year increase of 183 percent, according to the Harbin immigration border inspection station.

Among them, there were 136,000 foreign passengers, a year-on-year increase of 181 percent.

The airport restored 19 international and regional passenger routes this year.

With the 9th Asian Winter Games to open in less than 50 days, the city will welcome athletes and tourists from 34 countries and regions in Asia as the host of the event.

It is expected that the inbound and outbound passenger flow at the port will remain high from January to March, the station said.

To prepare for the coming event, the station has built the Immigration Affairs First Station Service Center and will open the Asian Winter Games Special Channel.

The station is also taking the lead in constructing a smart border control system.

The inspection site at the port has been equipped with cutting-edge intelligent devices such as smart translation machines, adjustable verification platforms and biological sample collection equipment.

The upgraded smart translation system can accurately and instantly translate over 70 languages from 143 countries and regions.

Furthermore, the station has formulated special support plans, organized drills and stress tests, and selected outstanding staff to form a service support team, comprehensively ensuring the port’s efficient and stable operation.