Cross-border travel policy changes align with China's goal of deeper opening-up: Official

China's continuous effort in fine-tuning its cross-border travel policy is in line with the country's goal of deeper opening-up, deputy chief of the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said.

China has implemented visa exemption with 26 countries, unilateral visa exemption for 38 countries, 240-hour transit visa exemption for 54 countries, and regional visa-free policies such as visa-free entry for south China's Hainan Province, tourist groups from ASEAN countries, and those arriving by cruise ship.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Mao Xu, deputy commissioner of the NIA, explained the rationale behind these measures.

"In recent years, China has unswervingly pursued wider and deeper opening-up, expanded independent and unilateral opening-up in an orderly manner. The National Immigration Administration of China has actively adapted its functions to the general trend of economic globalization, vigorously promoted multi-level and multi-field foreign exchanges, and served high-quality development and Chinese modernization," said Mao.

Apart from relaxing the visa-free policies, China has also introduced a series of measures to facilitate foreigners' transportation, accommodation, payments and tourism in China.

In 2024 alone, more than 20 million inbound foreign trips were made visa-free, a year-on-year increase of 112.3 percent.

"The most far-reaching significance is that it has enhanced exchanges between Chinese people and the rest of the world, narrowed the gaps and strengthened the friendship. Amity between people is the key to state-to-state relations. Many foreign friends feel that the real China is very different from the information they had. Through personal experience, misunderstandings and prejudices have been reduced, and the open, inclusive, prosperous, stable, secure and orderly China has been seen, perceived and recognized. We will continue to promote broader and more vigorous immigration policies and measures, and improve the convenience of living in China for foreigners," Mao noted.

China's electricity consumption, a key barometer of economic activity, grew 6.1 percent year on year in the first two months of 2026, according to data released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Tuesday.

Data from the NEA revealed that China's total electricity consumption exceeded 1.65 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) from January to February.

By sector, electricity consumption in the primary industry rose 7.4 percent year on year. The secondary sector saw a 6.3 percent increase, driven largely by high-tech and equipment manufacturing industries, which recorded a robust 10.6 percent growth.

The tertiary sector consumed 8.3 percent more electricity compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, residential power use for both urban and rural residents increased by 2.7 percent.