Urumqi port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has seen a surge in activity this year, with the number of exits and entries surpassing 600,000 and a 144.5 percent year-on-year increase in flights.
According to the Urumqi Border Inspection Station of Xinjiang General Station of Entry-Exit Border Inspection, the number of exits and entries at Urumqi port has exceeded 603,900. The number of inbound and outbound flights stood at 6,427, up 144.5 percent year on year. Additionally, the number of foreign travelers entering and exiting through the Urumqi port reached 207,200, marking an increase of 130.6 percent.
With the continuous expansion of China's visa-free "circle of friends" and a series of policies to facilitate foreign tourists and businesspersons, the number of travelers at Urumqi port continues to rise.
"Now Georgia and China have a visa free [policy]. So Georgian people can visit China without needing to do the visa, so it gives us more free time and a better solution to visit China," said a tourist from Georgia.
"At present, 21 passenger routes from 16 countries or regions have been opened at Urumqi airport, with an average of 102 round-trip flights and 13,000 passengers per week," said Wang Shuaibin, deputy captain of the Urumqi Immigration Inspection Station.
Number of exit- entry exceeds 600,000 at Urumqi International Airport
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he is considering "winding down" the U.S. military strikes against Iran, claiming the United States is "getting very close to" meeting its objectives.
"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East" with respect to Iran, Trump said on Truth Social.
The objectives Trump outlined include degrading Iran's missile capabilities, destroying its defense industrial base, eliminating its navy and air force, preventing it from ever approaching nuclear capability and protecting U.S. allies across the region.
Also on Friday, Trump said that he does not want a ceasefire with Iran.
"We can have dialogue, but you know, I don't want to do a ceasefire," Trump told reporters before he departed the White House for Florida, noting "You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side."
"U.S. government says one thing, reality says another," Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday on X, questioning White House's repeated claims that Iran's air defenses and Navy have been destroyed.
Trump on Truth Social also said that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy waterway, should be secured by the countries that rely on it and Washington would assist if asked.
"The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it -- The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated," Trump added.
The United States and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran on Feb 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy.
Trump says considering "winding down" strikes on Iran
