In 2025, a total of 4.77 million Chinese tourists visited Malaysia, with about 690,000 travelling to Sabah, said Consul General of China in Kota Kinabalu, Zhu Xinglong.
He said the increase stemmed from the mutual visa exemption agreement signed by China and Malaysia, allowing visa-free travel between the two countries.
Currently, 716 flights operate weekly between the two nations.
Zhu also noted that visa-free foreign visits to China surged to 30.08 million in 2025, marking nearly a 50 per cent year-on-year increase.
He was speaking at a Chinese New Year reception hosted by the Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu at a hotel here.
Deputy Chief Minister II and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the event.
