The ever-expanding high-speed railway (HSR) network in China is helping foreigners travel faster between the country's major cities and the rural regions.
Official data show foreign tourists made over 5.72 million visits to China from January to July, surging 403 percent year-on-year, thanks to facilitated entry measures and improved services to enhance convenience, like payment options, for inbound visits.
Many of the foreign tourists have chosen high-speed rail service traveling across their destinations in the country, saying the rail system is time-saving and convenient.
"It's one of the best and convenient ways, you know, take the fast train just for hours and you can get Shanghai," said Jack, a tourist from Netherlands who was to board a high-speed train in Beijing South Railway Station.
While major cities remain popular, exploring small towns via high-speed rail is becoming a popular option.
China has expanded its operational railway tracks to 160,000 km as of September, with the high-speed rail exceeding 46,000 km.
Linking major city clusters, the extensive network has also reached even remote villages in the rural regions.
In the southwestern province of Sichuan, a new section of HSR put into operation in late August has reduced the travel time from the provincial capital Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou National Park to less than two hours. Jiuzhaigou is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery. Previously, this journey took seven hours by road.
"Today we are going to Jiuzhaigou. And as understanded, if you were to drive it will take several more hours than it is now. So, it's definitely makes it much easier to fulfill the goal of returning to Chengdu within a day," said an American tourist.
Expanding high-speed railway network improves foreigners' travel experience in China
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
