With its return to Shanghai on Thursday, Costa Serena started China's first multi-homeport cruise route with nearly 700 international tourists, after Italian cruise line Costa Cruises withdrew from the Asian market due to the global coronavirus pandemic and diminished tourists in 2022.
On Thursday morning, international tourists disembarking from Costa Serena shared their plans during their stay in Shanghai.
"This is the second time for me (to visit Shanghai) and this is the first time for her. Today I want to go to Yuyuan, walk around there, go shopping and have a tea time," said a Japanese tourist.
"This is the very first time I visit Shanghai and there's so much to explore in Shanghai," said a Mongolian tourist.
The Costa Serena's return marked the official launch of China's multi-homeport cruise route, allowing tourists to board the ship in Shanghai, Japan's Fukuoka, and South Korea's Jeju.
Later on Thursday, about 2,500 passengers in total -- including 700 international tourists who disembarked in the morning and more than 1,800 new travelers -- left Shanghai by Costa Serena.
Industry insiders expect the new route to further advance the development of China's cruise industry.
"I think this is a good attempt. While it brings in tourists visiting the port, it also attracts Chinese passengers to get on board. The diversification of products could drive the cruise market," said Peng Zhaoyun, president assistant of Shanghai's Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal.
In 2006, Shanghai launched China's first international homeport route with cruise ship Costa Alanga, marking a starting point for the country's cruise market.
Costa Serena starts China's first multi-homeport cruise route
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday briefed the media on China-ASEAN cooperation during his attendance of the ASEAN Plus foreign ministers' meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that against the backdrop of rampant unilateralism and protectionism at present, China and ASEAN countries have demonstrated a strong desire to support each other, unite and cooperate, and jointly meet challenges.
He said the meetings achieved a series of outcomes. Firstly, both sides confirmed the completion of negotiations on version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and agreed to submit it for approval and signing at the leaders' meeting in October, signaling that China and ASEAN will continue to promote regional economic integration and build a high-level regional free trade network.
Secondly, China and ASEAN agreed on the action plan for the comprehensive strategic partnership for the next five years, setting out over 40 goals of all-round cooperation in various fields, injecting strong impetus to bilateral pragmatic cooperation in the next phase.
Thirdly, both sides welcomed the completion of the third reading of the draft text of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), agreed to strive to complete consultations within 2026 and reach a COC that is effective, substantive and in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This will provide a stronger guarantee for peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Wang pointed out that China puts forward the building of a community of shared future with neighboring countries and promotes the modernization of these countries.
Saying that all ASEAN countries speak highly of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and believe that China is the most important dialogue partner of ASEAN, Wang said that China-ASEAN cooperation is the most energetic and fruitful example in the Asia-Pacific region, and China is fully confident in the future of China-ASEAN relations.
Chinese FM details positive outcomes of ASEAN Plus foreign ministers' meetings
