China's just concluded 2024 summer vacation saw a booming study tour and cross-border trip with the inauguration of a number of new railway lines and the more implementation of visa-free policy.
Rizhao-Lankao high-speed railway line that launched during this summer vocation passes through numerous educational destinations, including the Yimeng Mountains, the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu, the seaside city of Rizhao, and the Jia Yulu Memorial Park.
Since the start of the summer vocation, the Linyi North Station on the Rizhao-Lankao high-speed railway line had successfully sent over 3,000 people traveling in groups. The train's mobile bookstore became a popular spot for passengers to spend their time on train.
Thanks to the implementation of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, foreign visitors like Song from Malaysia can enjoy greater convenience for cross-border trips.
Song entered China through the China-Laos Railway, traveled to Dali and Lijiang in southwest China's Yunnan Province, experiencing a unique summer vacation.
"It feels quite good. This train journey has given me a lot of fresh experiences, and I really enjoyed it," said Song.
The border city of Dongxing Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region that located on the China-Vietnam border eyed surging number of visitors during this summer vocation.
The geographic advantage of the port coupled with the travel convenience provided by high-speed trains had made the border city of Dongxing a popular destination for cross-border travel.
"To accommodate the large number of Vietnamese travelers visiting China, we have established Vietnamese language service positions to ensure high-quality service for Vietnamese tourists. This summer, we have already hosted 25 Vietnamese tour groups," said Li Yunhong, deputy station manager, Guangxi Coastal Railway Company, China State Railway Nanning Group Co., Ltd.
Data shows that since the start of the summer vocation, the China-Laos Railway and the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link sent a total of 45,600 and 5.184 million cross-border passengers, respectively, marking year-on-year increases of 78.1 and 10.7 percent respectively.
Summer vocation of 2024 sees booming study tour, cross-border trips
Festive receptions were held by Chinese embassies to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival, with the promotional video for the 2025 China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala unveiled to add festive atmosphere to the events.
The Spring Festival centers around the Chinese New Year, which lands on Jan. 29 this year, ushering in the Year of the Snake.
The Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan hosted a Spring Festival reception on Jan. 20 for overseas Chinese in Tajikistan. Nearly 300 people, including representatives of overseas Chinese groups such as the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Tajikistan, the Federation of Overseas Chinese, teachers and students from the local Confucius Institute, and international students in Tajikistan, gathered to celebrate the coming of the Year of the Snake.
In his speech delivered at the reception, China's Ambassador to Tajikistan Ji Shumin said that China's high-quality development and high-level opening-up have injected certainty and stability into a turbulent and changing world. China-Tajikistan cooperation in various fields has been promoted across the board, and the development of bilateral relations has reached a new level. Looking forward to 2025, China-Tajikistan relations will shine with new vitality and bring more benefits to the people of both countries, said the ambassador.
The promotional video for the 2025 CMG Spring Festival Gala was played in a loop at the reception. By watching the video, guests felt the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival and the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture.
At the reception, overseas Chinese in Tajikistan performed a variety of cultural programs created by themselves. The joyous lion dance, the melodious guzheng performance, and the passionate Tajik eagle dance added a great deal to the festive atmosphere.
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, the Federation of Philippine-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Philippine-Chinese Associations, and the Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce jointly held a Spring Festival reception on Jan. 19. More than 1,000 people from the Philippine government, Congress, overseas Chinese, people from all walks of life, and foreign diplomatic envoys to the Philippines gathered to celebrate the festival.
Huang Xilian, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, extended New Year greetings to people from all walks of life in China and the Philippines, saying that the Spring Festival is a common festival for the people of many countries, including China and the Philippines, and has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. He said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, and he hopes that both countries will cherish and maintain the bilateral relations for greater benefits to the people of the two countries.
Philippine Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and Louise Araneta-Marcos, wife of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., extended new year greetings via video link. Duterte said that the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China is of great significance, and she looks forward to the two countries working together to create a harmonious and prosperous future. Marcos said that the Philippines-China relations have been developing continuously for decades, which truly reflects the long-term friendly relations between the people of the two countries.
The promotional video for the 2025 CMG Spring Festival Gala was played at the reception. The festive atmosphere and gorgeous stage design attracted the attention of all the guests present.
Chinese embassies hold receptions to celebrate upcoming Spring Festival