China ASEAN Interaction Surges Over 25 Million Exchanges

From January to August 2025, exchanges between residents of mainland China and individuals from ASEAN countries surpassed 25.244 million, representing a significant year-on-year increase of 11.2%. This surge in interaction was highlighted during a regional seminar on immigration governance policies held on the 17th in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province. Among these exchanges, 14.505 million mainland Chinese residents traveled to ASEAN nations, marking a growth of 3.7%. These trips were predominantly for tourism, visiting family and friends.

In parallel, 10.739 million individuals from ASEAN countries entered mainland China during the same period, reflecting a robust year-on-year increase of 27.5%. Of this number, 9.054 million entered the country without a visa, which signifies a 28.4% rise, primarily driven by tourism and business undertakings. This data underscores the growing interconnections and dialogues between China and its ASEAN counterparts.

A notable development contributing to this increase includes Malaysia's implementation of a visa exemption agreement with China that came into effect on July 17, 2025. Following this, the number of Malaysian citizens traveling to mainland China reached 180,000, an increase of 13.2% compared to previous figures. Of those, 150,000 entered without a visa, showcasing a 15.1% year-on-year growth.

A responsible official from the National Immigration Administration articulated that the administration intends to fully utilize its capabilities in alignment with the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and ASEAN. The goal is to enhance strategic communication with immigration management and border control departments of ASEAN nations, leveraging complementary advantages to foster friendly exchanges.

The administration plans to focus on deepening practical law enforcement cooperation in immigration management while actively pushing policies that facilitate exchanges. These initiatives should promote cross-border interactions between personnel of China and ASEAN countries, further enriching regional economic and trade collaborations.

In conclusion, the growing number of exchanges between China and ASEAN nations serves as a testament to the strengthening ties within the region. The emphasis on streamlined immigration policies and enhanced cooperation is expected to inject ongoing vitality into socio-economic developments across these nations.