China sees peak return trips as Mid-Autumn Festival holiday comes to end

As the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday comes to its end on Tuesday, holidaymakers across China are in a rush to embark on return trips by train, car or air, making the holiday traffic flow at peak.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Mooncake Festival, is traditionally a cherished occasion for family reunions, sparking an annual wave of travel to see loved ones or simply to enjoy time off from work and studies.

According to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway), the country's railway network is expected to handle 15.2 million passenger trips on Tuesday, with 1,030 additional train runs being operated.

The peak period of return trips by train will appear from 14:00 to 18:00 on the day, said China Railway.

Railway authorities have been closely monitoring weather conditions and the passenger flow during the holiday season and have increased train service frequency between popular destinations while ensuring safe operation.

"We have launched night-time high-speed train services from Nanning East Railway Station to Liuzhou, Baise, Hezhou, Yulin and Fangchenggang North stations in the province on Tuesday, the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Meanwhile, we have deployed 35 additional staff members in the ticket hall, and at security checkpoints and check-in points to guide passengers and ensure safety," said Deng Rui, station master on duty at Nanning East Railway Station of China Railway Nanning Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

As the impact of Typhoon Bebinca weakens, passenger train services on lines from Beijing to Shanghai, Shanghai to Kunming and Hangzhou to Shenzhen have gradually resumed operation.

China's highways are expected to carry more vehicles on Tuesday, especially in the afternoon, causing increasing congestions and higher traffic pressure.

There will also be a peak period for new energy vehicle (NEV) owners to charge their cars from 10:00 to 21:00, while charging facility operators across the country have stepped up efforts to ensure power supply.

At the Changshan service area on the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway, employees of the State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power Company have installed a system that can prevent fuel vehicles from occupying parking spaces reserved for electric vehicles, to ensure enough charging facilities for NEVs.

Huawei's first fully liquid-cooled supercharger station has been put into operation in Kuitun City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which is capable of charging 12 NEVs at a same time.

"We will regularly conduct safety inspections on the charging station and screen against potential safety hazards, to provide safe, stable and reliable charging service for NEV owners," said Zhang Fengqi, an employee of the State Grid Kuitun Power Supply Company.

Meanwhile, the country's civil aviation sector is expected to handle 1.85 million passenger trips on Tuesday, an increase of 30.59 percent month on month.

China sees peak return trips as Mid-Autumn Festival holiday comes to end

Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.

Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.

More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.

Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.

"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.

During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.

"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.

In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.

With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.

"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.

Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition