Yunnan's Hekou Port sees travel boom during May Day holiday

Hekou Port, the largest land port on the Yunnan section of the China-Vietnam border, is witnessing a sharp rise in cross-border travel during China’s May Day holiday, which runs from May 1 to 5.

According to the Hekou entry-exit border inspection station, the total number of inbound and outbound travelers passing through the port during the holiday is expected to exceed 110,000.

Thanks to its convenient highway and railway links, Hekou has become a popular gateway for both Chinese and international tourists engaged in border and cross-border travel.

On Wednesday alone, the port recorded 5,223 inbound group tour travelers, setting a new single-day record, according to the inspection station.

"I'm here for a four-day trip to Jianshui County of the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan. I love Chinese TV dramas, and the scenic spots featured in the dramas are very beautiful. I heard they're shot in real sites, so I want to see these places for myself. I also enjoy Chinese barbecue and snacks," said Nguyen Hai Van, a tourist from Vietnam.

In response to the holiday travel surge, Hekou Port has implemented several measures to streamline the clearance process.

"To manage the increase in cross-border traffic, we've introduced self-service machines for foreign nationals to complete and print entry cards, launched an online pre-registration system for tour groups, and set up a real-time traffic monitoring system. We've also opened dedicated channels for group tours and deployed additional officers to ensure smooth and efficient processing," said Mao Liangyuan at the Hekou entry-exit border inspection station.

Yunnan's Hekou Port sees travel boom during May Day holiday

The Standing Committee of China's 14th National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its 22nd session on Thursday morning in Beijing.

At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to approve the revised Prison Law and Social Assistance Law, remove Han Jun from the post of minister of agriculture and rural affairs, appoint Zhang Zhu as the minister, and appoint Zhang Chengzhong as minister of emergency management.

President Xi Jinping signed presidential orders on the removal and appointments.

NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji presided over the closing meeting, which also approved a deputy qualification report.

The meeting adopted decisions on approving a treaty on judicial assistance in criminal affairs between China and Azerbaijan, and a treaty of permanent good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between China and five Central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The legislators voted to remove Feng Yi from the post of deputy secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee, among other appointments and removals. Zhao presided over a lecture for lawmakers after the closing meeting.

The Standing Committee held an oath-taking ceremony to pledge allegiance to the Constitution at the Great Hall of the People on the day.

China's top legislature concludes standing committee session