Second day of Dragon Boat Festival holiday expected to record 210 mln cross-regional trips across China

Sunday, the second day of this year's Dragon Boat Festival holiday, is expected to record more than 210 million cross-regional trips across China, marking a 6.2-percent increase compared to the same day of last year, according to the data from the Ministry of Transport.

With the Dragon Boat Festival coinciding with the International Children's Day, which is celebrated on June 1 every year, the number of passenger trips have surged.

On Sunday, the national railway welcomed 11.8 million passengers, and it added 658 extra trains to meet the surging demand.

In a unique touch, a special children's carriage was added to the high-speed train from Guangzhou City to Meizhou City in south China's Guangdong Province, where train attendants celebrated the holiday with kids.

The second day of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday also saw a significant rise in short-distance trips by road, with around 190 million people traveling to nearby cities and suburbs.

As temperatures rose, many tourists headed to coastal cities and water attractions to cool off, with highways and scenic routes seeing concentrated road traffic flow.

In water transport, the three-day holiday is expected to see over 1 million passengers per day on average.

However, due to strong winds, 87 coastal ferry routes in east China's Zhejiang Province have been temporarily suspended starting midday Sunday.

Local maritime authorities have implemented control measures to ensure the safety of waterway travelers.

As short-distance road trips have continued to dominate during the festival, new technology is being applied to support new energy vehicle (NEV) drivers.

At a parking lot of Haikou Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark in south China's Hainan Province, a mobile charging vehicle assisted NEVs that couldn't find charging stations.

The vehicle uses a modular and mobile energy system to offer greener and smarter solutions for travelers.

"Through AI monitoring of the environment, we can deploy the vehicle and follow up at any time, providing emergency support," said Li Shuwang, a staff member of Hainan Rongchu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

In the scenic spot of West Lake in Hangzhou City of Zhejiang Province, a smart charging stations has installed over 30 new liquid-cooled supercharging piles to boost charging efficiency and reduce waiting times.

"When I got here, the battery was at only 20 percent, but after just over ten minutes, it was charged to 90 percent," said Chen Yuxiao, a NEV owner.

This year's Dragon Boat Festival is predicted to see 8.3 million NEVs on China's highways every day, a 33-percent increase from last year.

With NEV ownership on the rise, many regions have launched smart navigation apps that provide real-time updates on charging station locations, while innovative services like mobile chargers are helping ease range anxiety for drivers.

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it was celebrated on May 31, and the holiday runs from May 31 to June 2.

Second day of Dragon Boat Festival holiday expected to record 210 mln cross-regional trips across China

Second day of Dragon Boat Festival holiday expected to record 210 mln cross-regional trips across China

Second day of Dragon Boat Festival holiday expected to record 210 mln cross-regional trips across China

Second day of Dragon Boat Festival holiday expected to record 210 mln cross-regional trips across China

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