Shenzhen's airport had handled over 3 million passenger trips as of August 4 this year, surpassing all of last year, with over 30,000 international flights recorded.
Gradually establishing itself as an international aviation hub, Shenzhen is becoming a key departure point for global travel.
In the first half of 2024, Shenzhen's airport resumed eight international routes and seven domestic passenger routes, bringing the total number of international and regional passenger routes to over 40. In July alone, Shenzhen's airport handled around 500,000 passenger trips, driven primarily by family trips, educational tours, and visits related to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
"We are going to Malaysia for diving this summer vacation. We can take a direct flight from Shenzhen, and Malaysia is a visa-waiver country. It's convenient for us to go," said one tourist.
"I am going to Bangkok for a five-day trip. It's visa-free. From Shenzhen, I can take a direct flight, which is convenient," said another tourist.
With its optimized entry and exit policies to facilitate inbound and outbound travelers and the increase in various international routes, China has attracted an increasing number of international visitors from over 130 countries and regions in the world.
"And I've lived here in China for nearly fifteen years now. And I'm an English teacher here, and I really, really like living here. Shenzhen is super convenient. My family and I love going out, eating, shopping, and also it's really convenient to travel. For example we've just come back from Japan and we used Shenzhen international airport for that. It's just really handy, really convenient and I really like living here," said a British tourist. Responding to the growing passenger volume, Shenzhen's airport has intensified coordination with relevant departments to create a smooth and efficient customs environment.
Shenzhen's airport handles over 3 million passenger trips, strengthening role as international aviation hub
The China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum is expected to bring new vitality to the global development and human civilization, said Colombian President Gustavo Petro in Beijing.
Petro, who delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum on Wednesday, told China Media Group (CMG) in an interview, while giving a special mention of the importance of the forum as a platform to reshape multilateralism.
"This Forum, held here in China, comes at a pivotal moment in history. And that's precisely what makes it so significant. It is taking place at a time when multilateralism is in urgent need of reshaping. There are some powers who believe they can rule the world through intimidation and shows of force. But with China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries standing together, we must make them understand: history is full of hard lessons. Those who once flexed their military might did not prevail. They may have enjoyed momentary success in the past, but this time, history will not repeat itself," he said.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC Forum's operation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated in his speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum that under the careful cultivation of both sides over the past 10 years, the China-CELAC Forum has grown from a tender sapling into a towering tree.
Petro hailed the relations between China and LAC countries over the past decade, saying that the cooperation is expected to energize the global development and human civilization.
"Yes, exactly, a tree. A strong and thriving tree, with deep and well-developed roots firmly anchored in the earth. There's no doubt that over the past ten years, trade in physical goods between China and LAC countries has grown substantially. China is involved in building the Bogota metro project. China is also constructing a port in Peru, and many other large-scale infrastructure projects are being advanced through Chinese investment and engineering expertise. When we link the cultural and civilizational threads of China and LAC countries, it's as if we are nurturing a living tree, one that grows tall toward the sky and promises to bring new vitality to the human civilization," he said.
China-CELAC Forum brings new vitality to global development: Colombian president
