UN mobilizing to provide aid after powerful earthquake hits Myanmar: UN chief

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that the United Nations system was mobilizing to support people in need in Southeast Asian countries following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked central Myanmar on the same day.

A total of 694 people were killed, 1,670 injured and 68 missing in the deadly earthquake in Mandalay region of Myanmar as of Saturday morning, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council reported.

The tremors were also felt in China, Thailand, and Laos.

At a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres sent his condolences to the people affected by the quake.

"The terrible earthquake that hit parts of Southeast Asia today. And we send our condolences to the governments and peoples of the region. The United Nations system is mobilizing to help those in need," he said.

Guterres said that Myanmar's government had asked for international support after the powerful earthquake.

Meanwhile, UN under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher confirmed that the United Nations has preliminarily allocated five million U.S. dollars to support rescue operations and promote post-disaster recovery in the affected areas.

UN mobilizing to provide aid after powerful earthquake hits Myanmar: UN chief

UN mobilizing to provide aid after powerful earthquake hits Myanmar: UN chief

UN mobilizing to provide aid after powerful earthquake hits Myanmar: UN chief

UN mobilizing to provide aid after powerful earthquake hits Myanmar: UN chief

UN mobilizing to provide aid after powerful earthquake hits Myanmar: UN chief

UN mobilizing to provide aid after powerful earthquake hits Myanmar: UN chief

Central China's Henan Province is experiencing a surge in international tourists driven by expanded visa-free policies, with visitors attracted by the traditional intangible cultural heritage, Chinese martial arts and local delicacies.

In Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, a vibrant cultural and creative district offers hands-on experiences like traditional lacquer fan making, alongside culinary delights such as culturally themed ice creams and spicy crispy tofu.

Dengfeng City, home to the world-renowned Shaolin Temple, has drawn travel groups to the city to experience Chinese martial arts. The large-scale live-action performances integrating kungfu with natural landscapes provide visitors with profound artistic immersion.

"It was something one-time in a life, nothing else in the world," said a tourist from Bulgaria.

The relaxed visa requirements have facilitated convenience for them to come to China.

"Of course, we are happy. It's always easier without the visa and complication, because before I was here last year, we had to have a visa and we had to show our visa everywhere," said Slav Kirilov, a Bulgarian tour group leader.

With the arrival of tourism season, there has been a marked increase in tour groups from Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia and other regions.

"As the weather gets warmer, the number of international tour groups is steadily increasing. We now receive five to six groups each day, each with around 30 people. The number of groups has doubled compared with the same period last year," said Mao Rongjun, head of a scenic area in Dengfeng.

Last December, China extended the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers from the original 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days.

The travelers from 54 countries can enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provinces, regions and municipalities and stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours.

Henan, one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization, is reaping the benefits of this policy.

"From Dec 17 to March 26, about 10,000 foreigners had entered through Zhengzhou's airports since the 240-hour visa-free policy was implemented, an increase of 334 percent over the same period 12 months earlier," said Yang Kui, a border inspector.

Expanded visa-free policy fuels inbound tourism in central China's Henan Province