The resumption of direct flights between Cebu and Quanzhou, alongside the Philippines' visa-free entry programme for qualified Chinese travellers, is set to strengthen travel and business ties between China and the Philippines. Xiamen Airlines reinstated the direct service on 29 March 2026, reconnecting Fujian Province with Cebu, a key tourism and business hub in the Philippines.

This development is part of the Philippines' broader strategy to boost international travel. Chinese nationals can now enter the Philippines for up to 14 days without a visa for tourism or business, provided they arrive through designated airports such as Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In early June, representatives from MCIA and Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport convened in Fujian Province to discuss enhancing cooperation in route development, airport operations, and aviation technology. The meeting included airport executives, local government officials, and Xiamen Airlines representatives, focusing on fostering travel and connectivity growth between the two regions.

Both airports agreed to establish a regular exchange platform to share best practices and explore future collaboration opportunities. The discussions also underscored the longstanding relationship between Cebu and Fujian Province, which formalised a sister-province relationship in 2018 to boost cooperation in tourism, culture, education, and economic development.

For travellers, the Cebu-Quanzhou route offers a convenient gateway between southeastern China and the central Philippines, facilitating access to Cebu and further destinations across the Visayas and Mindanao. As travel demand between China and Southeast Asia rebounds, stakeholders anticipate increased tourism, business engagement, and cultural exchange between the two nations

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