More pet-friendly venues are emerging across Wuxi City in east China's Jiangsu Province, driven by the growing demand for businesses that welcome animals.
Among the latest additions is a customized pet-friendly bus route that takes furry companions and their owners to a lakeside park.
Furry companions are seen hopping aboard customized buses with their owners for countryside getaways.
Traditionally, pet outings require private cars or taxis. But the new bus line in the city, marking one of the first of its kind in China, has quickly gained popularity since its launch.
"This special bus line not only solves our difficult in finding a parking space, but also allows us to travel with our beloved dogs," said Gu Ye, a dog owner.
"Many pet owners face difficulties using public transport when taking their animals out. We hope this special bus service will make it easier for people and pets to travel together and help create a more inclusive public transport service," said Du Mingqi, head of the pet-friendly customized bus project at Wuxi Public Transport Group.
Beyond convenience, the tailor-made service offers a chance for pets to explore new outdoor fun and for owners to connect and share pet-raising experience.
In addition to outdoor activities, pet owners can dine and relax with their animals at themed restaurants and cafes.
"We've designed fun pet activities along the pet-friendly No.1 Ancient Scholar Trail, such as hiking with furry friends. We also regularly hold pet sports events at cafes, restaurants and scenic spots to expand the variety of pet-friendly scenarios," said Yang Jianjiang, a local official.
During this year's five-day May Day holiday on May 1-5, foot traffic at a local pet-friendly shopping complexes rose by 12 percent on average per day from the previous year, showing the strong appeal of the "pets plus cultural tourism" model.
More pet-friendly venues show up in Chinese city as pet economy booms
Plans for activities commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War were announced at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing on Tuesday.
On the morning of Sept 3, a grand gathering commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War will be held at the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, in the name of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and the Central Military Commission (CMC), according to the press conference. The event will include a review of the troops.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CMC, will deliver an important speech at the gathering, said Hu Heping, executive vice minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, at the press conference.
A reception and a gala evening will also be held in Beijing on Sept 3, Hu said.
The commemorative event will be held under the theme of "Remember History, Honor the Martyrs, Cherish Peace, and Create the Future," to remember the Chinese people's hard struggle, pay tribute to the heroic martyrs who dedicated their lives and those who contributed to the Anti-Japanese War, declare the Chinese people's position and determination to unswervingly follow the path of peace and development and resolutely safeguard world peace, drawing wisdom and strength from history to move forward, and opening up an even brighter future, said Hu.
"Five activities will be held in the name of the Party and the state, including a commemorative meeting, a reception, a ceremony to confer commemorative medals, the opening ceremony of a themed exhibition, and a national memorial ceremony. They demonstrate the Party and the state's respect for history and reverence for the martyrs, which will better cultivate and inspire people's patriotic feelings," Hu said.
A grand military parade will be held at Tian'anmen, which will feature marching formations, armored columns, and aerial echelons, Wu Zeke, deputy director of the Leading Group Office of Military Parade, said at the conference.
He said that in overall planning, the participating units of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force will be deployed scientifically, with formations and echelons to be meticulously grouped.
"The marching formations will focus on the new structure of services after the reform of our army. The armored columns will highlight the latest achievements in the construction of our military equipment system. The aerial echelons will demonstrate the systematic level of our air combat forces and rapidly improved combat effectiveness. Now we are carrying out various preparations in an orderly manner," said Wu, who is also the deputy director of the Operation Bureau of the Joint Staff Department of the CMC.
China unveils plans for marking 80th anniversary of victory against Japanese aggression, fascism
