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
The China Media Group (CMG) held the first rehearsal for the 2026 Spring Festival Gala on Saturday, fine-tuning the highly anticipated TV event amid the festive atmosphere of the traditional Chinese New Year.
The rehearsal seamlessly integrated innovative technologies with vibrant stage visuals, offering a first glimpse of the gala's overall impact under the theme "Galloping Steed, Onward Unstoppable.”
Inspired by traditional Chinese culture, the Year of the Horse gala incorporates zodiac themes that symbolize perseverance and progress. The production merges art and technology, using AI, AR, and XR to create immersive, blended-reality visuals. Horse-themed artistic installations shape a dynamic stage, while original songs and opera pieces convey the spirited ethos of the zodiac year.
Robots, which made their debut in last year's gala, will once again take the stage at the Spring Festival Gala, showcasing the country's technological advancements.
Known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, the gala has been broadcast live annually since 1983 and is regarded as a major cultural symbol for the Chinese New Year celebrations in China. This year's gala will air on Feb 16, the eve of the Chinese New Year.
The gala has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the most-watched annual television program worldwide. Just over a year ago, the Spring Festival itself was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
CMG holds first rehearsal for 2026 Spring Festival Gala
