Shenzhen sees 20-pct jump in border crossing trips

The border-crossing passenger flows in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, peaked from Monday to Friday noon, according to Shenzhen Border Inspection Station.

There were over 610,000 inbound and outbound entries during the period, a 20 percent jump month on month. The border inspection officials attributed the significant increase to the 137th edition of the Canton Fair, which opened Tuesday in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, and the recent public holiday in Hong Kong. Hongkong contributed over 65 percent to the growth number.

At West Kowloon Port, an international railway passenger port located in Hong Kong with two separate port outlets administered by Hong Kong and the mainland, respectively, the tourist flow into the mainland has remained high since the port opened on Friday.

By 13:00 of the day, the inspection station at the port reported having inspected over 60,000 outbound and inbound trips.

Tourists from Hong Kong said the station offers convenient means of transport, and they were also enthusiastic about their trips to the mainland.

"There are direct trains from the West Kowloon Station to Quanzhou, which save us from transferring between trains," said a Hong Kong traveler surnamed Lo.

"It's very convenient to reach the station by bus. I joked with my children that traveling to Shenzhen is more convenient than to Hong Kong's Causeway Bay. The mainland has various foods, and we can also enjoy the beautiful scenery there," another Hong Kong traveler named Leung said.

To better serve the growing number of tourists, the West Kowloon railway station currently operates a maximum of 108 pairs of cross-border trains daily, and passengers can reach 93 mainland stations directly from the transport hub.

"To ensure efficient and smooth customs clearance for tourists, the Shenzhen West Kowloon Border Inspection Station had sufficient police officers on duty, opened enough inspection channels, and improved the efficiency of passenger flow management to ensure smooth and orderly customs clearance at the port," said Wu Yanwen, deputy captain on duty at the inspection station.

Shenzhen sees 20-pct jump in border crossing trips

As China's elderly population grows, shopping malls in Shanghai have actively adapted part of their services to cater to the needs and preferences of elderly consumers, tapping into silver-haired consumer market.

This trend reflects the city's efforts to enhance elderly care services amid the population aging. By the end of 2023, people aged 60 and older reached 5.68 million in Shanghai, representing a whopping 37.4 percent of the city's total population.

A shopping mall on the downtown Nanjing East Road pedestrian street has opened a dedicated club for senior citizens, offering a diverse range of activities from the operation of health workshops to traditional handicraft classes.

"I gain a lot every time I come here. I can participate in various club activities and also exchange knowledge and everyday life hacks with others," said Fu Meilin, an elderly resident.

The mall houses nearly 60 time-honored brands, along with dining and entertainment options suited to senior citizens.

Another business district in Shanghai's Putuo District has adopted a different approach, focusing on attracting retirees during weekdays while catering to younger shoppers on weekends.

Restaurants offer affordable off-peak meal deals priced under 100 yuan (about 13.88 U.S. dollars), attracting a large number of senior customers.

To ensure a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience for the elderly, many shopping malls have conducted age-friendly renovations, including providing comfortable seating areas, accessible restrooms, and consumer guidance services for the elderly shoppers.

Driven by the population aging, China's "silver economy" has shown vast growth potential, with the market currently estimated at around seven trillion yuan and projected to reach a 30 trillion yuan by 2035.

Shopping malls in Shanghai adapt to cater to growing 'silver economy'