China's railway system handled over 4.08 billion passenger trips in 2024, a 10.8 percent increase year on year, the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. said on Thursday.
In the year, the average daily number of passenger trips reached a record high of 21.448 million.
The railway transport volume set new all-time high records multiple times during the Spring Festival travel rush, summer travel rush, and other official holiday seasons, according to the railway authority.
China's railway sees 10-percent increase in passenger trips in 2024: official data
As the 2025 Spring Festival approaches, Chinese consumers are flocking to markets to purchase aquatic products and meat in preparation for the festive feasts, driving up sales ahead of a holiday that is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and tradition.
Located in eastern China's Fujian Province, the Fujian Strait Aquatic Products Trading Center in Fuzhou, the largest spot market for aquatic products in Southeast Asia, is witnessing a surge in trading volumes starting on New Year's Day, with trading activity expected to reach its peak ahead of the festival.
Covering an area of over 300,000 square meters, the center primarily serves as a wholesale market, with its sales network spanning across the entire country.
According to the market's manager, before Jan 1, approximately 3,000 trucks delivered products daily. In the past two days, the number has risen to 3,500 trucks, and it is expected to reach 7,000 trucks in the days leading up to the festival.
In Jinhua City in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, the beef and mutton market has also entered its peak season, with a significant rise in sales of both products at wholesale markets and fresh supermarkets.
"I bought a lamb chop to make mutton hot pot, which is good for health during this cold winter," said a customer.
The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Jan 29 this year and the Spring Festival holiday will last until Feb 4. It is China's most important festival and an occasion for family reunion.
Sales of aquatic products, meat surge ahead of Spring Festival
