Beijing saw 2.667 million inbound tourist visits in the first five months of 2026, marking a 35.3 year-on-year surge, the latest official data from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism showed.
In the first five months, the Chinese capital recorded 3.64 billion U.S. dollars in total inbound tourist spending, representing a 42.4-percent increase over the same period of last year, the bureau said.
This rapid growth in international travel is largely driven by China's expanding visa-free policies, which allows over 70 percent of foreign visitors to enter China hassle-free for tourism, business and family visits.
Beijing sees inbound travel up 35.3 percent in Jan-May
China has stepped up efforts to promote the implementation of its multiple key marine ecological protection projects since the beginning of this year, with a balance between marine ecological protection and marine economic development.
In the waters off Weizhou Island in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, coral colonies cultivated through ecological restoration projects have successfully achieved large-scale natural spawning for the first time this year. The milestone indicates that a complete ecological self-recovery system has been established in the artificially restored marine area.
Across the country, the pace of construction on major ecological projects, including the Blue Bay environmental improvement initiative and coral reef restoration efforts, has accelerated since the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, pilot projects of the Harmonious and Beautiful Islands program have advanced steadily, with the first batch of 33 islands covered by the program taking shape as models of green landscapes, clean shores, clear waters and abundant marine life.
The improved health of coastal ecosystems is now fueling growth in emerging marine industries.
"From January to April, China's marine economy achieved innovation-driven and high-quality development. Marine passenger traffic and passenger turnover increased by 7.3 percent and 11.1 percent year on year, respectively. Several marine-derived medicines have also gained approval for clinical trials. Next, we will remain committed to protecting our country's blue seas and coastlines, and further strengthen the blue foundation for sustainable use of marine resources," said Meng Qinglei, deputy director of the Department of Marine Strategy, Planning and Economy at the Ministry of Natural Resources.
China achieves balanced development of marine ecology, economy
