China is continuing to accelerate its green energy transition while meeting the considerable power demand, with renewable energy representing over 80 percent of the country's new installed power generation capacity.
The latest data showed that China's newly installed capacity for new energy power generation reached 258 million kilowatts from January to November, accounting for 81.5 percent of the total newly installed power generation capacity.
Experts say the renewable energy expansion can be partly attributed to China's efforts to accelerate the construction of new energy bases in its western areas to promote the distribution of new energy production in the more populous central and eastern parts of the country.
"For the next step, China's new energy power generation will be both centralized and distributed. It will also be land-based and sea-based. The generated power will be transmitted to other regions and consumed locally. We will continue promoting the construction of the wind and solar power generation bases in the sandy areas, rocky areas and deserts in the shelterbelt program in the northeast, north, and northwest regions of China. We will push forward the development of the water, wind, and solar power generation bases in southwestern China and the offshore wind power generation bases in eastern China. We will work to strengthen coordination in an effort to comprehensively diversify the supply of new energy," said Rao Jianye, director of the Clean Energy Research Institute under the China Electric Power Planning and Engineering Institute.
China is also improving its new power system, keeping enhancing the system's capability for receiving and distributing new energy so as to support the country's energy transition.
As China races to construct more new energy storage projects like photothermal energy storage projects and compressed-air energy storage projects, so far, the country's new energy storage has a capacity of over 60 million kilowatts, marking a significant achievement in maintaining the stable operation of the country's power system.
By the end of July, China's total installed capacity of wind and solar power had exceeded 1.2 billion kilowatts, more than doubling the 2020 level and achieving the 2030 target six years ahead of schedule.
New energy represents over 80 pct of China's new installed power generation capacity
China's move to expand its visa-free transit policy has sparked a surge in global interest in traveling to the country, making "China Travel" one of the most popular topics worldwide.
Earlier this month, China announced a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, aiming to further boost international openness and people-to-people exchanges.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) of China said the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers has been extended from the previous 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days.
The Washington Post reported that "China is loosening its visa policy, allowing some travelers to stay in the country for up to 10 days without a visa." A regional product manager for Audley Travel, specializing in China, noted that the country has made significant efforts to improve accessibility, as quoted in the report.
Through travel, international tourists have experienced the achievements of Chinese modernization and gained a new perspective on a confident, open, civilized, and safe China. With more direct, active, and positive engagement, these travelers are sharing Chinese stories from their own viewpoints.
In southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, tailor-made travel group tours have become particularly popular among overseas tourists.
A local tourism agency manager noted that the number of inquiries and bookings from Europe and the U.S. has significantly increased since the stay was extended to 240 hours.
"The inquiry volume has doubled, thanks to stimulation by the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. Some tourist destinations are fully booked until May," said Zheng Lidong, manager of a tourism agency in Chongqing.
Data show that around 78,000 international tourist arrivals have been made through the Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport so far this year, a 30-fold increase compared to last year.
In Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, the number of overseas tourists has risen steadily, with a more than 30 percent average month-on-month growth. Local authorities have also launched a free one-day tour service.
"Such a great opportunity because I am transiting like 10 hours. This is better than I could have asked for," said a tourist from France.
In Shanghai, group tour bookings from South Korea have surged, with more young South Koreans flying in to visit various tourist destinations.
"Compared to those on the Hangang River, the buildings on the Huangpu River have different architectural lighting," said a tourist from South Korea.
"It feels perfect for wedding photos, so we decided to take them here. We love the view -- it's more exotic than in Seoul," said a groom from South Korea.
Data from a tourism platform show that bookings from South Korea to Shanghai have increased by over 180 percent year-on-year since the entry into effect of the visa-free policy for South Korean travelers to China on November 8.
China travel booms as more visitors take advantage of expanded visa-free policy
China travel booms as more visitors take advantage of expanded visa-free policy
