Malaysian travelers arrive in Xiamen. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

Xiamen Airlines flight MF858, carrying over 100 passengers, arrived at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 17, the first day of the China-Malaysia mutual visa exemption agreement, making this flight Fujian province's first direct arrival from Malaysia under the new policy.

Currently, there are a total of 68 weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Xiamen operated by Xiamen Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Malindo Air to meet the travel and family visit needs of passengers from both countries. Xiamen Airlines operates eight daily round-trip flights, while Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air each operate six weekly round-trip flights.

During the trial visa-free policy period between China and Malaysia from Dec 1, 2023, to July 16, a total of over 178,000 Chinese citizens passed through Xiamen ports to visit Malaysia for tourism and business purposes, representing a daily average increase of approximately 97 percent compared to pre-policy implementation levels in 2023.

Fujian, a renowned hometown of overseas Chinese in China, has seen increasingly convenient cross-border travel. As of July 16 this year, the Gaoqi Border Inspection Station has processed a total of 234,000 passengers traveling between China and Malaysia. Notably, Malaysian nationals now rank first among all foreign travelers entering through Xiamen ports during the same period.