China saw 314 million domestic trips during the five-day May Day holiday from Thursday to Monday, up 6.4 percent year on year, according to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as culture-themed tour packages and holiday discounts fueled a surge in market demand.
Total domestic tourism spending reached 180.269 billion yuan (24.79 billion U.S. dollars), marking an eight percent year-on-year rise.
To meet the growing and diversified demands, local governments rolled out an array of cultural activities, travel packages, and public benefit initiatives, proving to be welcomed by holidaymakers.
Most trips made during the May Day holiday were via rail, with total train trips made during the holiday standing at 112 million, up 10.5 percent year on year. On Monday, as returning passenger flow picked up, railway trips were estimated to hit 21.1 million in a single day.
National highways and expressways across China also experienced a significant rise in returning passenger flows, with an estimated 244.93 million people traveling via road on Monday alone, as road travel remains a predominant option for short and medium-distance trips.
As to airline services, civil aviation saw robust growth as well. Around 2.32 million air passenger trips were expected on Monday. Over the entire holiday period, airlines were expected to handle 11.15 million trips, averaging 2.23 million per day, an 11.8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. A total of 91,000 flights were estimated to operate during the holiday, up 5.5 percent year on year, with an on-time performance rate of 89 percent, an improvement of 1.97 percentage points from last year.
China's May Day holiday trips hit 314 million
China's May Day holiday trips hit 314 million
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
