China projects 344 million passenger journeys and 2.4 million border crossings on first day of May-Day Golden Week
‘Unlock China’ guide highlights visa-free entry, 144-hour transit waivers and niche destinations for inbound tourists
Chinese Embassy in Maldives updates visa-exemption list and clarifies 30-day waiver rules
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China’s ‘Big Three’ airlines return to profit, signal capacity expansion despite fuel-price headwinds
Reuters says Air China, China Southern and China Eastern swung to Q1 profits and placed multi-billion-dollar Airbus orders, pointing to strong pent-up demand for international travel. While fuel prices and uneven route recovery pose challenges, the carriers’ renewed financial health should translate into more capacity and better schedules for corporate travellers.
China shares insider playbook for visa-free visits and 144-hour transit stays ahead of May rush
With just hours to go before China’s Labour-Day travel rush, CGTN has released an authoritative guide explaining how foreigners can maximise the country’s visa-free schemes and 144-hour transit policy. Beyond paperwork, it outlines new digital tools—from e-SIMs to QR wallets—that make spending and mobility easier, but also warns employers that visa-free entry does not legalise paid work. The guidance is critical reading for travel managers sending staff to China in May.
Trip.com: inbound bookings from six key markets drive China’s holiday spending boom
Trip.com Group reports that four- and five-star hotel bookings for the 1–5 May break are up more than one-third on 2025 levels, fuelled by visa-free entry and longer school holidays. Foreign arrivals are led by Russia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and the US, with Shanghai and Beijing the hottest tickets. Corporate travel planners face steeper room rates and should secure services early.