An international traveler asks for help at the center. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

The International Service Center at Hangzhou International Airport opened in Terminal 4 on July 3, offering foreign arrivals a streamlined, one-stop experience upon entry.

Jointly established by Zhejiang's public security, banking, tourism, foreign affairs, border inspection, telecommunications, and airport authorities, the center marks an upgrade to the province's pioneering airport-based foreign affairs service model.

Covering over 200 square meters, the center is located directly at the international arrivals exit. It consolidates key services such as foreign currency exchange, ATM withdrawals using overseas bank cards, mobile payment registration, SIM card activation, tourist information, and immigration and entry-exit policy consultation.

For many visitors, this service is a welcome convenience. Edward, a Mozambican businessman based in the neighboring city Yiwu, accompanied a colleague visiting Zhejiang for the first time. "Five years ago, setting up payment and communications took several trips around the city. Now it's all handled the moment you land," he said after helping his colleague register a phone number, link Alipay, and exchange currency.

The center's opening comes as Zhejiang is seeing sustained growth in international arrivals. In 2024, over 620,000 foreign nationals entered the province — up 49.5 percent year-on-year — and the trend has continued into 2025. To accommodate this increase, Zhejiang has rolled out a series of digital upgrades, including the AI Hangzhou mini program launched last September, enabling foreigners to access public bikes, hospital appointments, and museum bookings with a single QR code.

The service center, which underwent pilot operations in May, is expected to serve more than 100,000 inbound travelers annually, cutting service time by at least 50 percent and greatly enhancing the efficiency of essential procedures like mobile connectivity and digital payments.

Zhejiang plans to continue refining its international service infrastructure, offering visiting foreigners both efficiency and hospitality from the moment they arrive.

The international service center at Hangzhou International Airport. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]