China has extended its 240-hour visa-free transit policy and Hainan's 30-day visa-free entry policy to citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam, the National Immigration Administration said on Thursday.

The measures took effect on Aug 20, bringing the number of countries covered by the 240-hour visa-free transit policy to 57 and those eligible for Hainan's 30-day visa-free entry policy to 61, according to an announcement issued by the administration.

Under the 240-hour transit policy, citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam holding ordinary passports and confirmed onward tickets with fixed dates and itineraries may enter China visa-free through 65 designated ports, including those in Beijing and Shanghai, while transiting to a third country or region.

Eligible travelers may stay for up to 240 hours within designated areas.

Under the Hainan policy, citizens of the two countries holding ordinary passports may enter through ports open to international travelers in Hainan province and stay visa-free for up to 30 days within the province.

Travelers using either policy may engage in short-term activities such as tourism, business, visits and family reunions. Those coming to China for work, study, journalism or other activities requiring prior approval must obtain the appropriate visa before arrival, the administration said.

An official with the administration said extending the two policies to Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam is a practical step to advance high-level opening-up and facilitate exchanges with neighboring countries.

The move is expected to further promote tourism, business, visits and investment between China and the two countries, the official said.

The administration said it will continue to balance development and security, maintain orderly immigration management and facilitate cross-border travel and international exchanges in support of China's high-standard opening-up and high-quality development.

The expansion comes as China continues to broaden its unilateral visa-free and transit visa-free policies, contributing to a rapid increase in inbound foreign travel.

In the first half of this year, China recorded about 22.91 million entries by foreign nationals, up 20.4 percent year-on-year. Of those, nearly 17.82 million entered visa-free, accounting for 77.7 percent of the total and representing a 30.6 percent year-on-year increase.

Web editors: Shen Jianqi, Zhang Rui