The 2024 China Observance of World Cities Day opened on Saturday in Weihai City, in east China's Shandong Province, attracting over 2,000 guests from more than 30 countries and regions.
Themed 'Build People-centered Cities for Better Life,' the three-day event features parallel forums, including a mayor's forum on high-quality urban development in the new era, the Exquisite City Forum, 12 different activities and themed exhibitions, as well as a release ceremony for innovative research.
The event is co-organized by China's Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, UN-HABITAT, and the People's Government of Shandong Province.
World Cities Day is an annual UN observance held on October 31. It provides an opportunity to promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization, advance cooperation among countries to address urbanization challenges, and contribute to sustainable urban development worldwide.
China observance of World Cities Day opens in Weihai City
China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) said Thursday that the upcoming nine-day Spring Festival holiday season is expected to see a record-breaking more than 2.05 million daily entries and exits on average through the nation's ports, marking a 14.1-percent increase compared to the same period of last year.
The NIA anticipates the outbound travel peak to occur on Feb. 15, the beginning of the nine-day official holiday season, as families set off for holiday getaways.
The inbound rush is expected to concentrate on Feb. 22 and 23, the last two days of the holiday, as travelers return home.
The NIA said it will enhance coordination with border control and local transport authorities to effectively manage passenger flows during peak periods and provide comprehensive transportation support, jointly ensuring safe, efficient, and smooth customs clearance across the nation's ports.
The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, lands on Feb. 17 this year. It is the most cherished annual occasion for family reunion and holiday making in China.
Record number of daily cross-border trips expected during China's Spring Festival holiday
Record number of daily cross-border trips expected during China's Spring Festival holiday
