F1 Chinese Grand Prix draws 220,000 spectators

The Chinese Grand Prix, a key stop in the Formula One World Championship, wrapped up in Shanghai on Sunday, with attendance reaching around 220,000 spectators, according to the event operator.

The Shanghai event marks the second race of the 24-race Formula One season. Since its debut in the Chinese metropolis in 2004, the F1 Chinese Grand Prix has become a globally recognized sporting event and a significant highlight on the city's sports calendar. As this year coincides with the 75th anniversary of F1, the event drew massive interest.

Outside the event venue, a 32,000-square-meter area was transformed into a free, one-stop automotive culture experience for the public. The venue featured car displays, interactive zones, music stages, and food stalls, offering diverse activities for fans and families alike.

In addition, the Shanghai Jiading District, where the race venue is located, also holds the Shanghai Automobile Culture Festival simultaneously, introducing themed tourism routes and promotional packages combining race tickets with hotelstays and local attractions.

"During the F1 Chinese Grand Prix this year, spending on dining, accommodation, transportation, and entertainment reached a new high. The occupancy rate of major mid-to-high-end hotels in Jiading averaged over 95 percent," said Jin Fen, Deputy Director of the Jiading District Culture and Tourism Bureau.

According to event organizers, 10 percent of the spectators were international visitors, 20 percent were locals of Shanghai, and 70 percent traveled from across China.

"I've been in China (for) two months. I was traveling around. I love it. Shanghai is amazing," said a Russian visitor.

"I come from Jingdezhen City in Jiangxi Province. I've been watching the games for three days," said a Chinese boy.

"I arrived on Friday [to] visit the city, visiting several places like Zhujiajiao, Suzhou and the center of Shanghai," said a visitor from Italy.

Yang Yibin, chairman of the F1 Chinese Grand Prix operating team, highlighted the event's broader impact.

"The three-day event attracted approximately 220,000 spectators. Shanghai has established a coordinated mechanism integrating culture, sports, commerce, tourism, and exhibitions. For major events like this one, it is important to make good use of this mechanism to promote consumption and drive economic growth," he said.

F1 Chinese Grand Prix draws 220,000 spectators

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who is China's lead official for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, held a video call with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at the latter's invitation on Wednesday.

Focusing on the implementation of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone call on January 17 this year, the two sides exchanged views on major bilateral economic and trade issues in a candid and in-depth manner.

The Chinese side expressed grave concerns over additional U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports under the pretext of the fentanyl issue, the Section 301 investigation that target Chinese imports, and planned "reciprocal" tariffs.

Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974 authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative to impose tariffs or other import restrictions on foreign products after determining that "an act, policy, or practice of a foreign country is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts United States commerce."

Both sides confirmed their belief that stable China-U.S. economic and trade relations are in the interests of both countries and agreed to maintain communication on each other's concerns.

Chinese vice premier, US trade representative hold video call on economic issues