Versailles Opera concert, exhibition held in Hangzhou to promote China-France exchanges

A concert by the Royal Opera of Versailles and an opening ceremony of the Virtually Versailles exhibition were held in Hangzhou, the provincial capital of Zhejiang in east China, on Thursday to highlight the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and France.

The concert and exhibition are also part of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism to promote exchanges and mutual learning between the Chinese and French people.

The exhibition, which runs from May 2 to Oct 8, uses panoramic images and virtual reality for visitors to experience iconic attractions, century-old collections and important historical moments of the Versailles Palace, a brilliant cultural and historical complex of France.

China and France have also witnessed a surging trend of two-way personnel exchanges in 2024, immigration authorities said on Wednesday.

As of April 30, China recorded 104,000 arrivals of French nationals since the beginning of the year, up almost 295 percent from the same period in 2023, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

The visits were dominantly for business, tourism and family visits, said the NIA.

During the same period, Chinese mainland residents made 130,000 trips to France, an increase of 215 percent year on year, mostly for tourism and business, the NIA said.

The NIA data show that as of April 30, 74,000 visa-free entries had been made by French ordinary passport holders, accounting for nearly 60 percent of the total French nationals entering China.

Versailles Opera concert, exhibition held in Hangzhou to promote China-France exchanges

Versailles Opera concert, exhibition held in Hangzhou to promote China-France exchanges

Versailles Opera concert, exhibition held in Hangzhou to promote China-France exchanges

Flash floods have trapped Indonesians in West Sumatra in living nightmare, and evacuees are relying on local authorities for food and shelter after cold lava and flash floods destroyed their homestead on the night of May 4.

At least 67 were killed in West Sumatra in this tragic string of events. Some remain missing.

An elementary school Bukik Batabuah, Agam Regency was revamped into evacuation center for 50 families.

Kamilia, mother of two, lost her parents in this tragic event.

"My parents were killed. They were swept away by the strong flood current as far as 2 kilometers. A nephew of mine was swept away by the flood as far as 5 kilometers - he passed away," said Kamilia.

"I was at home with my daughter. When I heard a roaring sound, I knew that's a flood. I grabbed my child, but as I was trying to open the door to leave my room, I was swept by the flood water. It broke through the walls, bringing with it rock and wood debris," said Eva, another victim.

After the disaster, the two mothers lost their source of income. Though sheltered at the school, they still worried about how to make a living in the future.

Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, visited the shelter and commented on a possible relocation of the shelter for safety reasons.

"This has the potential, as seen on the map, to be on the path of cold lava flow. We hope residents living nearby - at least the elderly and the children - are evacuated. These are high-panic situations. There are elderly people and children here," she said

Efforts are being made in response to the emergency situation with data continuously updated.

Flash floods trap Indonesians in West Sumatra in living nightmare