More than 46,500 people have been relocated and resettled after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning, the regional government said.
A total of 646 aftershocks have been detected as of Wednesday noon, said Hong Li, head of the regional emergency management department. Telecommunications, roads and power have been restored in the quake-hit region, he said.
"A total of 646 aftershocks had been detected as of 12:00 on Jan 8. The largest aftershock was magnitude 4.4, and was about 18 kilometers from the epicenter. The earthquake has caused the collapse of 3,609 houses and 126 deaths, and injured another 188. Some parts of Dingri and Lazi counties suffered power outage. Trunk roads of national and provincial highways, and some rural road sections have been damaged to varying degrees. Telecommunications in the towns of Changsuo and Quluo in Dingri County were seriously damaged. After urgent repair, telecommunications, roads and power in the quake-hit area have been basically restored," said the official.
"At present, more than 12,000 people have been mobilized at all levels of emergency rescue, fire rescue, forest fire protection, public security police, military officers and soldiers, and social emergency rescue forces to rescue people's lives and property. Up to now, 187 resettlement sites have been set up, accommodating 46,500 people. The 484 tourists in Dingri County of Xigaze City had safely returned to the urban area of Xigaze by 12:00 on Jan 7," he said.
The Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) on Tuesday night allocated the second batch of relief supplies to the quake-affected areas, which comprised 4,300 items such as cotton tents, quilts and folding beds.
"A total of 391 medical workers from the autonomous region, Xigaze City, Dingri County and Lazi County were sent to carry out medical treatment after the earthquake. Up to now, a total of 327 patients have been treated, more than two thirds of them had been discharged from hospital after treatment, and other patients are under treatment," the official said. More than 50 rescue workers were also sent to the areas by the RCSC, bringing along emergency sanitary toilets, catering vehicles and camper vehicles, among other emergency response supplies.
Over 46,500 people relocated after 6.8-magnitude Xizang quake: official
Chinese tourists are returning to Thailand in large numbers, providing a welcome boost to the country's tourism sector, as holidaymakers from China to the Southeast Asian nation are up by nearly 30 percent.
After a decline in Chinese travelers to Thailand over the past two years, numbers have surged this year, offsetting a slump in arrivals from the Middle East due to conflict, higher fares and fewer flights.
In the first week of May, which included China's May Day holiday from May 1 to 5, arrivals from China were up by 28 percent year on year, with a total of almost 135,000 visitors, an average of more than 19,000 per day, according to a report released by Bangkok financial consultants FSS Investment Securities.
Chinese travelers accounted for 22 percent, more than a fifth of all foreign tourist arrivals, approaching figures not seen since before COVID-19.
Rena Yu, a Chinese tourist, said she is drawn by the "many different cultures" and local cuisines in Thailand.
"More and more people around us visit here and they had a very wonderful experience. So, it makes we (us) go (come) here to visit," said Liu Xiaojing, another Chinese tourist.
While the number of non-Chinese visitors was down by nine percent overall, primarily due to unrest in the Middle East, those from China outperformed the market, providing a major boost to Thailand's tourism sector.
"It's very helpful for the tourism industry in Thailand because of the situation in the Middle East. And lately, we're really improving in numbers from Chinese tourists. Because last year, we faced declining in the Chinese market of around 30 to 40 percent from the previous year," said Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, executive director of the Thai Hotels Association.
Thai officials have worked to reassure Chinese visitors that the country is a safe destination after concerns over security and reports of illegal employment scams.
"After the visitation of the royal family, I mean the king, to China last year, late of last year, that is the turning point of the coming-back of the Chinese tourists, because they thought about the relationship is stronger than before, I mean, in every level, not only the government, but also the people-to-people [level] as well," said Sirigesanong Trirattanasongpol, executive director of East Asia at the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
It seems to have been successful, with Chinese visitors expected to remain a key driver of growth in the Thai tourism sector for the rest of the year.
Surge in Chinese tourists provides major boost to Thai tourism sector
