Inbound tourism in Suifenhe City, at the China-Russia border in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has seen a continued robust growth, with many Russian visitors coming in for shopping tours buoyed by the resumption of visa-free group tours between China and Russia in September 2023.
In the early morning, Chinese tour guide Zhao Liyan was already waiting at the entry hall of the Suifenhe highway port, anticipating the arrival of her Russian clients who had departed from Pogranichny.
She said Russian citizens now can enjoy visa-free stays of up to 15 days in China for tourism as part of a tour group.
"Travel agencies from both China and Russia are included in the List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption. Registering one day in advance, they can enter China the next day. It's very convenient," explained Zhao.
Situated on the China-Russia border, the city is just a 16-kilometer drive from Pogranichny. On weekends, inbound buses arrive about every half an hour, and it usually takes Russian tourists about 10 minutes to complete customs clearance.
"I love Chinese food so much, including stir-fried eggplant, potato and peppers as well as fried pork in scoop. I have been to many Chinese cities myself, such as Harbin, Beijing, and Shanghai. I particularly like Shanghai. I like your festivals, such as the Chinese Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival," said a tourist.
According to Zhao, many of Russians coming to Suifenhe, are regular visitors and are already familiar with this city. In 2013, the city was authorized as China's first pilot zone where the Russian ruble can be officially used alongside the Chinese yuan. Local merchants are generally capable of speaking some Russian, facilitating direct communication.
"Over the past decade, I've been doing businesses with Russians. As I hear what the Russian speakers say every day, I can speak some Russian too, just like what we would say in Chinese," said Wang Yan, a merchant.
Russian woman Elena Posevkina, who met her Chinese husband Yang Ning in Suifenhe six years ago and settled down there, also said that more and more Russians come to China to travel, live, study and work.
"China is very close to Russia. It's very convenient to come here. The country is very nice, beautiful and safe. Nowadays, many Russians are learning Chinese, starting from a young age," she said.
China's Suifenhe sees thriving inbound tourism
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
