Passengers queue for immigration clearance. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

As of Oct 31 this year, the inbound and outbound passenger volume at Xiamen Port has surpassed five million this year, 55 days earlier than last year and marking a year-on-year increase of over 20 percent.

Meanwhile, the number of inbound and outbound foreign nationals has exceeded 860,000, marking a year-on-year increase of nearly 13 percent and hitting a record high for the same period. 

Data shows that foreign nationals from 196 countries have passed through Xiamen Port this year, among which those entering under visa-free policies exceeded 230,000, accounting for nearly 70 percent of the total. 

Driven by increased ferry frequencies, traditional festivals, and cultural exchange activities, personnel exchanges between Fujian and Taiwan have shown significant growth.

As of Oct 31, passenger volume via the "Large and Mini Three Links" and direct routes has exceeded 1.78 million, surpassing the total for all of last year. 

As a "golden channel" for cross-Strait maritime travel, the Xiamen-Kinmen ("Mini Three Links") passenger route has handled nearly 1.42 million inbound and outbound passengers as of Oct 31. The route has broken its single-day passenger record three times within the year, with the latest record peaking at 7,000 passenger trips.

Demand for international travel among both domestic and foreign passengers continues to increase. According to statistics, as of October 31, nearly 2.6 million Chinese mainland residents have passed through Xiamen Port, accounting for over half of the total passenger throughput.

The Gaoqi Border Inspection Station has inspected 58 international cruise ship arrivals and nearly 80,000 inbound and outbound passengers.