Visa-free arrivals hit 292,000 over New-Year weekend as China’s ‘convenience ecosystem’ takes shape
Inbound tourism to China surges 38 % in first week of 2026 under expanded visa-free scheme
Beijing quietly warns European capitals to deny visas for Taiwanese officials
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Malaysia Airlines restores Kuala Lumpur–Chengdu flights as 30-day mutual visa-free travel spurs demand
Malaysia Airlines has reinstated daily non-stops between Kuala Lumpur and Chengdu, its seventh Greater-China destination, on the back of the new 30-day China–Malaysia mutual visa-free regime. The route shaves hours off previous one-stop options and signals accelerating two-way business and leisure demand.
Nine-day Spring Festival break sparks 63 % jump in outbound air-ticket bookings
With this year’s Spring Festival spanning 15–23 February, outbound air-ticket bookings are already 63 % higher than last year. Seoul, Hong Kong and Bangkok lead demand, but longer-haul routes are rising fast, signalling renewed traveller confidence and foreshadowing capacity crunches at mainland airports.
Inbound tourism to China surges 38 % in first week of 2026 under expanded visa-free scheme
People’s Daily reports a sharp rise in foreign arrivals during the New-Year holiday, crediting China’s newly extended visa-free policies for 40-plus countries. Early data from Qunar and Trip.com show bookings by non-Chinese passport holders up nearly 40 % year-on-year, with Hainan and second-tier mainland destinations the biggest winners. The surge signals a faster-than-expected recovery for China’s inbound tourism and lowers the friction of corporate travel and project work.
Visa-free entries hit 292,000 over New-Year break as China’s ‘convenience ecosystem’ takes shape
National Immigration Administration data show 292,000 visa-free arrivals over 1–3 January, up 35.8 % year-on-year. Expanded visa-waiver lists, 240-hour transit exemptions at 65 ports, faster tax-refund processing and Alipay-enabled foreign e-wallet payments are credited with creating a mature ‘convenience ecosystem’ that is now drawing both leisure visitors and business travellers back to China.
Malaysia Airlines resumes Kuala Lumpur–Chengdu flights, leveraging new mutual visa-free regime
Malaysia Airlines has restarted daily Kuala Lumpur–Chengdu flights, its first China relaunch of 2026. The move capitalises on the China–Malaysia reciprocal 30-day visa-free policy and provides new connectivity for both leisure travellers and electronics-sector supply-chains linking Sichuan and the Klang Valley.
‘Longest ever’ nine-day Spring Festival drives 63 % surge in outbound air-ticket bookings
Travel-platform data show domestic and outbound flight bookings for the 9-day Spring Festival holiday have already exceeded three million, 20 % above 2025 levels. Outbound demand is up 63 %, led by Seoul, Hong Kong and Bangkok. The rush will test airline capacity and requires companies to adjust production and mobility plans.
Shenzhen Airlines flight returns to stand after taxi-out fault, highlighting operational resilience
Shenzhen Airlines confirmed that flight ZH9881 returned to the gate after a minor technical fault during taxi-out on 12 January and departed safely after repairs. The delay underscores the operational strains of China’s quick capacity build-up and serves as a caution for business travellers to keep buffer time in itineraries.