"Please hold your passport and wish you a pleasant trip to China!" In the entry corridor of Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Yu Man, a police officer from the airport border checkpoint, assisted a German passenger in fluent German to complete the entry registration. When she saw a group of British passengers arrive, she used diversion guidance in English.

Yu Man is a member of the "100-person Foreign Language Volunteer Service Team" of the Shanghai Airport Border Inspection. He has worked in this position for 15 years.

Such multilingual service scenarios are daily during the Spring Festival at Pudong International Airport. With the continuous optimization of China's visa-free policy and measures to facilitate foreigners to come to China, more and more foreign tourists choose to travel, visit relatives or do business in China during the Spring Festival to experience the charm of the Chinese New Year.

According to statistics from the Shanghai Border Inspection General Station, as of 17:00 on February 1, there were 41,000 foreigners entering the port at Shanghai Port, of which 53.7% of them were allowed to enter the country without visa.

The Shanghai Pudong International Airport Port ushered in a peak inbound and outbound passenger flow. (Photo provided by Shanghai Border Inspection General Station)

In the side inspection hall of Pudong International Airport, German passenger Robin Tolin, who had just completed the entry procedures, said: "Because of the visa-free policy, it is very convenient to come to China now. This time, I have to stay in Shanghai for a few more days and go to attractions such as Yuyuan, Bund, and Nanjing Road."

Tlin has a strong interest in China's traditional New Year customs such as dragon dance, lion dance, sugar blower, and riddle guessing, and came to China to experience the Chinese New Year.

Another Japanese traveler stayed in Tadahiko for a long time and will continue to visit relatives in Hunan after arriving in Shanghai. "Performance during the Spring Festival is very smooth, and the speed is faster than expected." He pointed to the specialty in his hand and said with a smile, "Because my wife's hometown is in Hunan, we go home to celebrate the New Year with my father-in-law and mother-in-law. This is the moment of reunion we have long been looking forward to."

The police of the "100-person Foreign Language Volunteer Service Team" of the Shanghai Airport Border Inspection are assisting foreign passengers in the entry procedures. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Tang Siqi

Shanghai cruise ports have also ushered in a peak in passenger flow. During this year's Spring Festival holiday, the number of passengers who chose to "school the New Year at sea" increased significantly. According to statistics from the Shanghai Border Inspection Department, nearly 70,000 passengers will choose to enter and exit the country by cruise during the Spring Festival, an increase of 337.5% over the same period in 2024.

At 18:00, Yu Man finished his volunteer service and another policeman came to his post to take over. During the Spring Festival, police officers took turns on duty 24 hours a day, and added channels in advance during peak hours. The busy rhythm has become the norm for all police officers who stick to their on-duty immigration management.

Outside the window, another international flight landed, and the lights of the bridge illuminated the red paint on the fuselage. "The busier the Spring Festival, the more I can feel the openness of the country." Yu Man said, "I feel joy from the bottom of my heart to be able to help friends around the world at such a moment." (Reporter Tang Siqi)