Huangshan, a popular tourist destination in eastern China's Anhui Province, experienced a significant boost in inbound tourism around the New Year, thanks to the country's newly expanded visa-free transit policy.
The city, known for its stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, boasts 56 A-level and above tourist attractions, with the world-renowned Mount Huangshan standing as the crown jewel.
Famous for its dramatic granite peaks, ancient pines, and swirling mists, Mount Huangshan has inspired countless works of art and literature. Its outstanding cultural and natural value has earned it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
China recently extended the allowable stay for eligible foreign visitors on transit from three days to 10 days, and has also expanded the number of eligible entry and exit points to 60. Among these is Huangshan Tunxi International Airport, making it easier for international travelers to explore the region during layovers.
As a result, the number of foreign tourists visiting Huangshan around the New Year surged by nearly 30 percent compared to the same period last year.
"Now my friends can come to Huangshan Tunxi for fun more conveniently," said a Thai student studying in China. "I have seen a lot of beautiful scenery and hope to come to China often in the future. I love China," said a Malaysian tourist.
This uptick in international visitors has also attracted the attention of global travel professionals. Over 600 international tour operators from countries such as Russia, South Korea, and Italy have recently visited Huangshan to scout the area and develop tailored travel packages for their clients.
Huangshan is also planning to launch direct flights to Seoul, South Korea, and is exploring the possibility of additional direct routes to other international destinations. The city is also enhancing its services to streamline entry and exit for transit passengers.
Foreign tourists take advantage of new visa policies to visit Chinese city of Huangshan
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
