With the expansion of cruise routes and ports over the past year, China's cruise industry is gaining momentum, showing renewed vitality and emerging as a potential driver of economic growth.
This year marks the second operational year of the "Adora Magic City", China's first large domestically-built cruise ship. This follows the ongoing construction of China's second domestically built large cruise ship, the "Adora Flora City" which is set to be delivered by the end of 2026 and will operate regular international cruises from Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province.
Liu Hui, general manager of CSSC Cruise Technology Development Co., Ltd., shared his optimism about the sector's future. "2024 marks a full year of [the 'Adora Magic City'] operation. With strong government policy support, the industry is poised for strong growth. As China's economy continues to develop and its people pursue for a better life, cruise tourism is rapidly gaining popularity. Regarding both the supply and consumer sides, we will surely have a very good prospect," said Liu.
In addition to domestic advancements, international cruise companies are also accelerating their return to China.
Latest data showed that there are three international cruise ships and five local vessels operating across 12 ports in the Chinese mainland.
"We believe that from 2024 onwards, China's cruise industry is entering its second 'golden decade.' What's happening now? More international tourists come to China to experience cruises. In 2024, global cruise tourism is expected to see 34.7 million passengers. On average, one job is created for every 20 passengers, resulting in the need for over 1.7 million jobs. Cruise ships require dozens to even hundreds of tons of food daily. Additionally, tourists will need accommodation, dining, and transportation in Shanghai, generating a direct economic impact estimated to reach trillions of yuan," said Ye Xinliang, deputy director of Shanghai International Cruise Business Institute.
China’s cruise industry picks up steam, fueling economic growth
A Chinese envoy on Monday called on the international community to jointly prevent Japan from reverting to "the old and pernicious path of militarism."
Sun Lei, charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, made the appeal at the first session of the Preparatory Committee for the UN Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity.
Crimes against humanity constitute grave offenses that threaten international peace and security. This charge first appeared in the Charter of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg and the Charter of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, embodying the conscience of humankind, he said.
During World War II, Japanese militarism inflicted profound atrocities on the people of China, other Asian nations, and the world. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the work of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East ("Tokyo trials"), he noted.
The Tribunal systematically adjudicated and exposed the crimes of Japanese militarism in planning, preparing for, and invading China and other Asian nations, as well as in launching the Pacific War. It sentenced relevant war criminals for crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, he said.
"The Tokyo trials stand as irrefutable historical evidence of Japan's crimes of aggression, pioneered the development of international criminal law, and sounded a clarion call for peace to correct Japan's expansionist policies. The international community should jointly safeguard the victorious outcomes of the Second World War, including the Tokyo trials, uphold the international order based on international law, and prevent Japan from reverting to the old and pernicious path of militarism," he said.
Against the current international situation marked by intertwined changes and turmoil and regional conflicts arising one after another, strengthening the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity is both timely and of great significance, said Sun.
China calls for efforts to prevent Japan from reverting to militarism
