More People Traveled In and Out of China in 2000

The Ministry of Public Security said Tuesday a record number of people entered and exited China in 2000, with 187 million entries and exits registered for the year, up 14.5 percent over 1999.

The figures involved about 20.87 million residents in the Chinese mainland, 140 million Hong Kong and Macao residents, 6.18 million Taiwan compatriots, and 20.27 million foreigners, a rise of 15 percent, 14 percent, 20 percent and 20 percent respectively.

Among China's 228 border checkpoints for travelers, the Lo Wu Checkpoints in south China's Shenzhen topped the list, with 85.5 million entries and exits recorded last year, accounting for 46 percent of the country's total.

On April 22 of last year, some 335,900 people entered and exited the Lo Wu Checkpoint, setting a record for the country's checkpoints.

Among the people entered and exited China in 2000, more than 21 million boarded planes, 12 million on ships or boats, 2.95 million on trains, 30 million by motor vehicles and 120 million on foot, an increase of 16 percent, four percent, 12 percent, 17 percent and 14 percent respectively.

About 10.47 million mainland residents exited the mainland in 2000, of which 4.84 million were on official trips and 5.63 million left on private affairs.

Mainland residents headed for 232 countries and regions across the world. The top ten destinations are the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Macao SAR, Thailand, Russia,

Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States, Singapore, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, some 10.16 million foreigners from 253 countries and regions worldwide entered China in 2000, with the top ten countries being Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Mongolia, Philippines, Britain and Thailand.

More than 5.51 million foreigners entered China for sightseeing, up 18 percent from the corresponding period of 1999.

Chinese exit and entry departments intensified the crackdown on people-smuggling in 2000.

According to the ministry, some 7,073 people who attempted to illegally cross Chinese borders were seized in 2000, among them were 364 people-smugglers or their assistants. An additional 52,000 people were punished accordingly for violating the country's exit and entry laws and regulations.






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