China is expected to see an average of 1.8 million daily inbound and outbound passenger trips during the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday season which will start on Sunday, a year-on-year increase of 21.9 percent, the National Immigration Administration said on Friday.
Inbound and outbound passenger trips at major airports in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu are expected to see a daily average of 42,000, 95,000, 42,000 and 16,000, respectively.
Land ports linking the Chinese mainland with Hong Kong and Macao will see a notable increase in border entries and exits, with the Gongbei Port in the city of Zhuhai close to Macao and the Luohu Port in the city of Shenzhen neighboring Hong Kong expected to handle a daily average of 320,000 and 200,000 border entries and exits respectively.
The administration has instructed border check agencies nationwide to ensure availability of sufficient personnel to make sure Chinese travelers finish customs clearance in 30 minutes.
To the Chinese, the Mid-autumn Festival means family reunion and harmony. It is celebrated when the moon is full, and Chinese people believe a full moon is a symbol of reunion, harmony, and happiness. The festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar with full moon at night. This year's Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Sept 17.
China expected to see sharp surge in international travel during Mid-Autumn Festival holiday
China expected to see sharp surge in international travel during Mid-Autumn Festival holiday
Multiple handheld pager explosions struck Beirut and the southeastern and northeastern regions of Lebanon on Tuesday, leading to a temporary internet shutdown in the southern suburbs of the capital city, according to China Media Group (CMG) reporter Ci Xiaoning.
"I am currently at the entrance of a major hospital in Beirut, Lebanon's capital. Around 15:30 today, there were several explosions in the southern suburbs of Beirut. My Lebanese colleague, who lives very close to the area, experienced an immediate loss of internet connectivity. Reports have since confirmed that many handheld pagers were involved in the explosions," Ci reported outside a hospital in Beruit.
Lebanese Health Minister Firas Abiad confirmed that the explosions resulted in at least nine deaths and about 2,800 injuries, with approximately 200 people in critical condition. The injured are being transferred to hospitals.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it is conducting security and scientific investigations to identify the reasons behind these explosions, adding that the group is "at the highest level of readiness to defend Lebanon and its people."
In a separate statement, the Shiite group blamed Israel for "this criminal attack," vowing to retaliate.
The Lebanese Council of Ministers stressed that the government, shortly after the deadly explosions, began contacting the concerned countries and the United Nations to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Israel has yet to comment on Tuesday's blasts. According to media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a security assessment meeting at the HaKirya military base in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to address the implications of the explosions.
CMG reporter says internet shutdown following deadly pager blasts in Lebanon
