With the arrival of the first Spring Festival travel rush since China optimized its COVID-19 prevention policy, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in southwest China's Sichuan province is experiencing a significant increase in passenger flow.

A photo shows passengers lining up at customs at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China, Jan. 13, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

According to airport officials, on Jan. 13 alone, a team from the Sichuan Immigration Inspection Station processed 3,718 passengers and inspected 39 inbound and outbound flights, representing a 25% increase in traffic since China eased international travel restrictions. 

The measures implemented have made foreign travel easier by classifying COVID-19 as a Class B infectious disease, canceling nucleic acid testing and quarantine of all personnel after entry, and lifting controls on the number of international passenger flights.

In response to the rebound in entry-exit traffic, the Sichuan Immigration Inspection Station is taking active measures in accordance with the relevant requirements and work arrangements of the National Immigration Administration (NIA) to ensure safe and smooth passenger flows and customs clearance during the Spring Festival travel rush.

A photo shows passengers lining up at customs at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China, Jan. 13, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

"In order to do a good job in the resumption of flights after the new policies were issued and ensure the vast number of passengers enjoy a happy Spring Festival, the Sichuan Immigration Inspection Station has made solid preparations, strengthened our services and organization, established a linkage mechanism, and optimized support for customs clearance," said Jiao Gang, captain of the No. 1 duty team of the Sichuan Immigration Inspection Station.

Each team is taking steps to ensure smooth customs clearance for passengers, according to Jiao. The station is allocating border police resources wisely, opening more verification channels, and providing special services such as a green channel for elderly, young, sick, disabled and pregnant passengers.

A photo shows an airline worker passing through customs with his passport being checked at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China, Jan. 13, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

"While ensuring the smooth customs clearance of passengers during the Spring Festival, we will also tighten port control, strengthen organization and leadership, improve the awareness of the border police, improve the port emergency response plan, and carry out emergency response drills for different situations," he said.

The station's efforts have been well received by passengers. "We have worked in Singapore all year and have also been in and out of the country frequently during the past three years," said one passenger. "This is the most efficient customs clearance and the most simplified procedure we have ever experienced since the pandemic. Bravo to the border inspection police!"

He told China.org.cn that he had previously been concerned that the policy adjustment would not be implemented quickly, but upon arriving in Chengdu, he found that customs clearance had become much easier.

A photo shows a border inspection policeman helping a passenger at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China, Jan. 13, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

According to a senior officer of the Sichuan Immigration Inspection Station, the station has strictly implemented measures from the NIA to optimize immigration management and simplify procedures. Procedures such as filling out a declaration card for Chinese citizens' entry information have been canceled, and the collection of epidemic-related information has been discontinued. These changes have resulted in a decrease in the time spent through customs and a 50% increase in efficiency compared to before the revised policies and measures were released.

With the Spring Festival approaching, the officer said the inspection station would continue to pay attention to the real-time situation at the port, make scientific and dynamic adjustments, and better serve every inbound and outbound passenger.

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