BEIJING -- About 45.64 million residents of the Chinese mainland traveled out of the region in the first half of this year, a year-on-year increase of 18.36 percent, said the Ministry of Public Security on Friday.

The most popular foreign destination was Thailand, and the Republic of Korea followed, according to a ministry statement.

They also traveled a lot to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, the statement said.

Meanwhile, it added, the number of foreigners entering the Chinese mainland dropped by 5.15 percent to 12.77 million. The Republic of Korea, Japan and the United States were the top three sources of incoming visitors.

Foreign travelers mainly entered the mainland through Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou airports.

Police efforts against illegal immigration were effective, the statement said, adding that about 1,300 people were caught.

Border control agencies also snatched 507 fugitives when they tried to leave or enter the country.