A cluster of towers marks this view of Beijing's central business district, on May 24, 2020. [Photo/Sipa]

China has become one of the biggest climbers in the past decade for the first time in world passport rankings, according to a list compiled by the residence and citizenship planning specialists Henley & Partners.

In the second quarter of this year, China has risen by 22 places in the ranking since 2011, from 90th position with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of just 40 to 68th position with a score of 77.

In the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks the world's passports by the ease with which they offer access to other nations and territories, Japan has the most powerful passport, with the country's passport holders theoretically able to access a record 193 destinations around the world visa-free.

Singapore remains in second place, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 192, followed by Germany and South Korea again share third place, each with access to 191 destinations.