This year's summer vacation is the first one after China downgraded the management level of COVID-19 to Class B from Class A. Chinese citizens' demand for exit/entry documents has continued to rise, and the exit/entry flow has also increased significantly. According to the statistics of the National Immigration Administration (NIA), from July 1 to August 29, the exit/entry administrations of public security organs nationwide have issued a total of 3.42 million ordinary passports, and 18.585 million travel permits and endorsements for traveling to and from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, representing an increase of 7.1 percent and 27.5 percent respectively compared with the statistics from May to June.

Border inspection authorities across China inspected a total of 82.413 million inbound and outbound passengers with a daily average figure of 1.397 million, up by 19.88 percent compared with the total number of this May and June. Specifically, there were 41.19 million residents of the Chinese mainland, up by 26.24 percent; 32.466 million residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, up by 12.82 percent; and 5.06 million foreign citizens, up by 22.31 percent. A total of 4.119 million vehicles of transportation (e.g., ships, trains, and cars) were inspected, with an average quantity of 70,000 per day, marking a growth of 6.85 percent compared with the total number of May and June.

According to the spokesperson of NIA, in order to cope with the peak seasons of document applications and outbound travel during the summer break, NIA has assisted the exit/entry administrations of public security organs nationwide in deploying police forces in an optimized way, increasing service desks for processing document applications, and extending service hours to meet citizens' needs for summer travel, overseas education and others as much as possible. Additionally, for those who need to leave the country for urgent reasons including participation in crucial business activities and other important meetings, and medical treatment, among others, services such as expedited visa applications and grouped visa applications are provided.

Border inspection authorities across China have made every effort to ensure smooth passenger flow at exit/entry ports this summer by optimizing their service systems, promptly issuing guiding signs for customs clearance, setting up sufficient border inspection lanes, and strengthening efforts in managing exit/entry passenger flow. The border inspection authorities in Shenzhen and Zhuhai have also enhanced liaison and coordination with their counterparts in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR to jointly cope with the instantaneous peak of passenger flow, ensuring safe and orderly flow at the exit/entry ports.