Photo: VCG

The number of foreign tourists visiting China is expected to continue to grow in the second half of the year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday, citing official forecasts.

Lin made the remarks while commenting on #ChinaTravel trending on social media platforms overseas.

"We are glad to see this new trend, and we believe, with the continuously expanding scope of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy for foreign nationals and the introduction of more travel facilitation measures, China will be the destination of more foreign tourists," Lin said.

Bustling city life, Chinese cuisines, high-tech enabled services such as drone-delivered takeout orders and driverless cabs that appeared in the videos taken by foreign tourists are a vivid display of the vitality of China's development, Lin noted.

The attractiveness of China as a tourist destination come from the country's unique charm, as well as the openness and hospitality of the Chinese people, and it is also reflective of the nation's efforts to promote high-level opening up, the spokesperson said.

China will continue to embrace the world, inject new growth impetus into the global economy, and inject more vitality to exchanges with other countries, Lin said, inviting foreigners to share China's growth opportunities and engage in cooperation by visiting the country.

In the first half of the year, 14.635 million foreigners entered the country through various ports, an increase of 152.7 percent year-on-year, data from the National Immigration Administration showed.

Among them, 8.542 million entered the country without a visa, accounting for 52 percent of the total, an increase of 190.1 percent year-on-year.

A recent survey revealed that a significant majority (approximately 86 percent) of foreign tourists who have previously visited China reported improved convenience in instant payment and other related services, the spokesperson said.

Transaction volume of foreigners using overseas e-wallet apps to pay for goods and services in China have grown more than sevenfold in the first six months, data showed on July 4, amid efforts by the Chinese government in recent months to streamline payment processes for overseas travelers.