The Hunan General Station of Immigration Inspection released on October 13 that Hunan's ports saw steady growth in entry-exit trips and flights in the first three quarters of 2026. Travel between Chinese and foreign nationals has become increasingly frequent, port operations have become more efficient and of higher quality, and the province has continued to accelerate its high-level opening-up.

In the first three quarters of this year, Hunan's ports recorded a total of more than 1.3 million entries and exits, a year-on-year increase of 9.3%. Of the total, more than 1.22 million trips were made by inbound and outbound passengers, up 9.2% year on year. These ports handled more than 8,300 entry-exit flights, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%. Overall, port operations remained stable and orderly, with continued growth momentum.

On October 12, the Changsha Station of Immigration Inspection provides support for the maiden flight of the Changsha–Addis Ababa international passenger route. (Photo/Cao Wang)

The structure of entry-exit personnel continued to be optimized, with significant increases in the number of travelers from various groups. In the first three quarters, Hunan's ports recorded nearly 600,000 inbound and outbound trips made by mainland residents, a year-on-year increase of 13%. Hong Kong and Macao residents conducted over 20,000 trips, up 93.8% year on year; and Taiwan compatriots made nearly 25,000 trips, an 8.4-fold increase year on year. This indicated increasingly frequent exchanges and interactions among Hunan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.

During the January-September period, nearly 590,000 inbound trips were made by foreign nationals, remaining largely unchanged from the same period last year. Visitors came from 150 countries worldwide, with growth recorded across all continents. Among them, the number of visitors from North America, South America, and Europe increased by 94.1%, 66.7%, and 51.1% year on year, respectively, as China continued to expand opening-up. Thanks to streamlined customs clearance policies, more than 80 percent of foreign visitors entering the province benefited from various visa-free policies, highlighting the province's advantages in facilitating border clearance.

On October 13, police officers at the Zhangjiajie Station of Immigration Inspection inspect South Korean passengers for Air Busan flight BX371. (Photo/Lu Zhihao)

The two major ports in Hunan have shown distinct and complementary functions. As the main entry-exit channel for residents within the province, Changsha port handled nearly 930,000 inbound and outbound trips in the first three quarters, a year-on-year increase of 11.7%, with mainland residents accounting for more than 60%. Zhangjiajie port showed distinctive characteristics as an international tourist destination. The port handled a cumulative total of more than 370,000 entry-exit trips, with 93.5% made by foreign passengers, continuing to enhance the province's reputation as a hub for international cultural and tourism openness.

The passenger and cargo route network at Hunan's ports has continued to expand, with connectivity steadily improving. In the first three quarters, Changsha port handled more than 5,500 passenger flights, reaching 15 destinations in 13 countries and regions. Zhangjiajie port operated more than 2,400 entry-exit flights, connecting 13 destinations in 8 countries and regions. Meanwhile, the temporarily opened port at Yueyang Sanhe Airport has started international cargo operations in a regular manner. In September, it operated 103 international cargo flights, reaching four cities. This helped fill a gap in the province's international cargo transportation network and establish a layout of "passenger services are concentrated in the south and cargo services in the north, with trunk and feeder routes working in coordination."

The Hunan General Station of Immigration Inspection has introduced ten targeted service measures, focusing on key areas such as port capacity expansion and efficiency improvement, industrial development, and international tourism development. These measures aim to optimize customs clearance services and enhance operational efficiency, ensuring efficient customs clearance of personnel and materials, continuously optimizing the business environment at ports, and supporting the high-quality development of Hunan's opening-up through high-quality border inspection services.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Voice of Hunan