Ji Dakai, a senior commissioner at the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Comprehensive Experimental Zone's port management bureau, highlighted the impact of the new visa-free policy on international tourism.

With the 240-hour visa-free policy, foreign visitors can now engage in deeper cultural exploration, such as in neighboring cities like Luoyang and Kaifeng, which have a long history and rich cultural heritage. Thus, he said, it helps them better understand the province and strengthens Zhengzhou's internationalization.

He added that foreign visitors can maximize their experiences not only in tourism but also in trade and business opportunities.

Along with the growing number of inbound tourists, Zhengzhou also witnessed increasing foreign trade.

The statistics showed the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone recorded an import and export value of 409.4 billion yuan ($56.14 billion) in 2024, with cross-border e-commerce imports and exports totaling 25.88 billion yuan, achieving a 55.8 percent year-on-year increase.

Qu Huaqiao, an official of Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone, said: "Henan is a province with a profound historical and cultural heritage, and also a rapidly developing economic hub."

He said Zhengzhou's international connectivity has played a crucial role in this development. The city's airport links major destinations across Europe and Asia, facilitating greater openness. Platforms like 1688's global cross-border wholesale center—its only comprehensive site worldwide—allow foreign buyers to source products seamlessly, further cementing Zhengzhou's role as a global trade hub.