On January 18th, following the unilateral visa exemption policy for six countries, namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, that came into effect on December 1st, 2023, the Huanggang Checkpoint saw a surge in the number of foreign travelers. Additionally, five measures that facilitate the entry of foreign visits to China were implemented on January 11th, 2024, further contributing to the increase in foreign visitors to the checkpoint. The station has been proactively assessing passenger flow and further resolving the bottlenecks concerning foreign visitors' study, consultation, and tourism.

At 9 a.m. on January 17th, the temporary immigration hall of Huanggang Checkpoint welcomed a tourist group consisting of 25 Malaysian nationals. All members of the group are ethnic Chinese Malaysians who enjoy the visa exemption policy for their free travel. They are embarking on an 8-day root-seeking journey to Guangdong, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Chaozhou, and Xiamen, Fujian. They spoke highly of the professionalism and efficiency of the port staff.

"For us Malaysian Chinese, it has been a long-standing wish to visit our ancestral homeland. Previously, it was difficult to organize a trip for so many relatives and friends due to the time-consuming visa application process. Thanks to the convenient measures provided by the visa exemption policy, we are eagerly looking forward to this journey back to our hometown," said Miss. TONG WOOI TIN, who is nearly 60 years old. "The customs clearance service is fast and efficient, which is particularly beneficial for overseas Chinese who have been away from their hometown for many years, to feel the warmth and changes of our hometown."

Coincidentally, at 10 a.m. on the same day, another foreign traveler, Mr. CHOW, a U.S. citizen, also experienced the convenience brought by the new policies for foreigners coming to China. The traveler had an urgent matter to attend to in China but didn't have enough time to obtain a visa. Faced with language barriers and unfamiliarity with the on-arrival visa application process, he was quite anxious. After verifying the situation, the leading police officer promptly arranged for a colleague proficient in foreign languages to assist him in applying for an on-arrival visa at the port visa office and expedited his immigration inspection procedures.

"The facilitation measures implemented by the National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China are marvelous. The Chinese immigration officers are so great!" said Mr. CHOW, an American traveler, expressing his gratitude and appreciation for the services provided by the Chinese immigration management police as he raised his thumbs up before leaving.

Source: Yangcheng Evening News

来华外国人点赞皇岗边检站高效通关体验

1月18日，记者从皇岗出入境边防检查站获悉，自2023年12月1日起，我国对法国、德国、意大利、荷兰、西班牙、马来西亚6国试行单方面免签政策和2024年1月11日起正式施行便利外籍人员来华5项措施以来，经皇岗、福田口岸出入境的外国籍旅客日益增多。该站实时加强客流量研判，进一步打通外籍人员学习、咨询、旅游的相关堵点。

1月17日上午9时，皇岗口岸临时旅检场地入境厅迎来由25名马来西亚籍旅客组成的旅游团。该团均是马来西亚籍华人，此次享受免签政策自由行，要前往广东深圳、惠州、潮州及福建厦门等地开启8天“返乡寻根”之旅。他们对口岸工作人员的专业高效赞不绝口。

“回故乡看看，是我们这辈马来西亚华人多年的愿望。之前由于需花费不少时间办理签证，很难组织这么多亲戚朋友一起回来中国探亲旅游，免签政策便利措施帮大家解决了这个难题，我们非常期待返乡之旅！”年近60岁的TONG WOOI TIN女士说，“通关服务快捷高效，真的让我们这些多年未曾回国的华人感受到故乡的热情与变化。”

无独有偶，当天上午10时，一名美国籍旅客MR.CHOW 同样体验到了外籍人员来华新政带来的便利。该名旅客遇紧急事务需来华处理，未来得及办理签证，因语言不通，加之不了解口岸落地签办理流程，十分焦急。带班民警核实相关情况后，第一时间安排精通外语同事协助其前往口岸签证机关申办口岸签证，并为其快捷办理入境查验手续。

“The facilitation measures of the National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China are marvelous. The Chinese immigration officers are so great!”（中华人民共和国国家移民管理局的便利措施令人惊叹。中国的移民官太棒了！）临走时，美国籍旅客MR.CHOW竖起大拇指，对中国移民管理警察负责的服务表示感谢与肯定。

文、图｜记者 张璐瑶 通讯员 黄俊生 康昆海
翻译丨陈萱