While the word 护照 (hùzhào) itself is a modern, functional term, the concept it represents has deep cultural significance in contemporary China. For much of the 20th century, private international travel was a rare luxury for ordinary Chinese citizens. A passport was an almost unobtainable document. Today, the dramatic increase in passport ownership is a powerful symbol of China's economic development, reform, and “opening up” (改革开放, gǎigé kāifàng). Comparison to Western Culture: In many Western countries, getting a passport is a standard, almost mundane, administrative process. For many Chinese families, however, obtaining the family's first passport is a significant milestone. It represents not just the ability to travel, but also upward mobility, a connection to the global community, and new opportunities for education, business, and leisure. Seeing a child off to study abroad or an elderly parent on their first overseas tour group are moments of immense family pride, and the 护照 is the key that unlocks these experiences.
护照 (hùzhào) is used in all contexts related to international travel.
The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between a 护照 (hùzhào) and a 签证 (qiānzhèng). They are not interchangeable.
Remember: Your 护照 says who you are. The 签证 says where you are allowed to go.