A record 302 million people crossed Chinese borders in 2005, up 9.8 percent over the previous year, according to the Bureau of Exit-Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security.

The is the first time the number has topped 300 million, Cui Zhikun, director of the bureau, said in Beijing on Monday.

It took eight years for the number to increase from 100 million to 200 million, and five years from 200 million to 300 million, said Cui.

"China has entered a period of rapid increase in exits and entries," said Cui.

The total number of vehicles, ships and airplanes crossing Chinese borders in 2005 reached 20.07 million, up 3.44 percent over the 2004 figure.

A series of measures have been taken by the Ministry of Public Security in recent years to make it more convenient for people to cross the border and to promote trade and other exchanges between China and other countries, said Cui.

However, he said that 6,807 people were seized crossing Chinese borders illegally in 2005, and 250 others were caught organizing illegal exits and entries. More than 85,000 people violated China's laws and regulations on exit-entry administration.

With closer economic ties between China and other countries and the approach of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, there has been a significant increase in border inspection work, said Cui.

"There needs to be more high-tech application in border check systems to increase the speed of inspection," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2006)