China Accelerates International Flight Recovery with New Chongqing–Bangkok and Chengdu–Brussels Routes
Beijing Bars Two Taiwanese Ministers and Families from Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau
2026 Declared ‘China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges’ as Wang Yi Embarks on Four-Nation Tour
Latest News
Türkiye’s New Visa-Free Regime Sparks Wave of Chinese Bookings
Effective 2 January 2026, Chinese citizens can now enter Türkiye visa-free for up to 90 days, a shift expected to turbo-charge both leisure and corporate travel. Travel platforms are already registering a surge in searches and bookings, and airlines plan capacity additions ahead of the Lunar New Year peak. The waiver removes significant cost and paperwork for Chinese business travellers, bolstering bilateral trade and tourism ties.
Hong Kong Handles 950,000 Arrivals over New-Year Weekend, 48 % Jump in Mainland Visitors
Between 31 December 2025 and 4 January 2026, Hong Kong welcomed 950,000 visitors—40 % more than a year earlier. Mainland Chinese entries jumped almost 50 %, thanks to an extended public holiday, while expanded e-Channels and longer checkpoint hours kept waits under control. The data underline a rapid recovery in cross-border business and leisure traffic, although retail spending remains muted.
Cross-Border Movements through Hong Kong Reach 3.2 Million in Three Days—85 % of 2019 Volumes
Immigration data confirm that Hong Kong processed 3.2 million border crossings during 1–3 January 2026—about 85 % of pre-pandemic holiday traffic. Enhanced e-Channels, extra trains and 24-hour checkpoint operations kept queues manageable, demonstrating that the city’s border systems are ready for sustained high volumes. Corporate travellers and logistics operators should expect some temporary service extensions to wind down after 8 January.
Macau Closes 2025 with Record 40.06 Million Visitors; Mainland Arrivals Drive Boom
Official data released 6 January show Macau attracted 40.06 million visitors in 2025, the highest on record. Total border crossings hit 235 million, with New-Year traffic alone topping 860,000 in a single day. Mainland Chinese tourists and business travellers were the main drivers, fuelling higher hotel rates and a 9 % jump in gaming revenue. Mobility planners should anticipate tight hotel inventory and busy checkpoints during upcoming holidays.
Air China Cuts Small Stake in Cathay Pacific but Pledges Long-Term Partnership
Air China has sold a 1.61 % slice of Cathay Pacific for US$170 m, but will remain the Hong Kong carrier’s second-largest shareholder with nearly 30 % after an upcoming share buy-back. Cathay stressed that strategic cooperation on mainland routes is unaffected and plans to restore 90 % of pre-Covid capacity by late 2026. Mobility managers should expect more flights—but potentially firmer fares—on Hong Kong-China trunk routes.
Philippines Denies Social-Media Rumours of Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Nationals
On 6 January, the Philippine DFA categorically denied viral claims that Chinese citizens can now visit visa-free, confirming that existing visa rules—including the 14-day e-Visa and seven-day tour-group exemption—remain in force. Companies should monitor official DFA channels and caution travellers against acting on social-media rumours.