Number of Overseas Visitor Arrivals refers to the number of foreigners, overseas Chinese, Chinese compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan coming to China for sight-seeing, visits, tours, family reunions, gatherings of friends, recuperation, inspection, conferences and other activities in the nature of business, science and technology, culture, education, sports, and religion. The statistics excludes representatives and employees of resident institutions of foreign countries in China such as embassies, consulates, news agencies and offices of foreign companies and organizations, as well as long-term foreign experts or students residing in China, and persons in transition without staying overnight in China.
    Foreign Exchange Earnings from International Tourism refer to the total expenditures of foreigners, overseas Chinese, Chinese compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan during their stay in the mainland of China, or earnings of foreign exchange from international tourism in terms of national economy.