QINGDAO – China strives to establish specialized cruise terminals in ports such as Qingdao, Dalian, Tianjin, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Sanya. The reception capacity of ports for large cruise ships has significantly improved, providing strong support for the growing demand for cruise transportation development.

China's cruise ship transportation market continues to heat up thanks to abundant market supplies and the adoption of the 15-day visa-free policy for international cruise tour groups, the Ministry of Transport said.

The ever expanding market supplies are propelling the accelerated growth of the domestic cruise industry.

Presently, China's operating cruise routes include those originating from domestic ports to destinations such as Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. There are also international cruise routes departing from foreign countries to visit Chinese ports.

In terms of market entities, there are domestic Chinese companies, Chinese-funded companies, as well as well-known foreign companies like Royal Caribbean International and Mediterranean Shipping Company.

So far, China is witnessing a faster than expected resurgence in inbound tourism.

China has implemented a visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from over a dozen countries, and allowed visa-free entry for foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships at all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.