A report on shipping safety and development in the South China Sea was released on Friday, underscoring the region's critical role as a key hub in the global maritime shipping system, supported by objective and comprehensive data.
Compiled by experts from Dalian Maritime University, the report is the world's first comprehensive study that uses big data methodologies to systematically analyze the three key elements of shipping in the South China Sea -- ports, shipping routes, and cargo.
According to the report, the South China Sea is home to 29 major ports and 14 marine routes that connect with all major global trade regions.
It handles 40 percent of the world's port calls and 30 percent of the container transportation volume, linking economic circles of China-Japan-South Korea, ASEAN, Australia, and Africa, as shown in the report.
"The vessel traffic density in the South China Sea is 7.5 times that of the Caribbean Sea, three times that of the Baltic Sea, and 1.5 times that of the Mediterranean Sea. In the era of globalization, countries around the world have formed an industrial supply chain network. And in this network, the South China Sea serves as a 'super seam,' ensuring the stable and efficient operation of global supply chains," said Jia Peng, executive director of the Institute for Dalian Northeast Asia International Shipping Center.
The South China Sea also plays a vital role in the marine transportation of key bulk commodities, with 40 percent of global seaborne crude oil, 34 percent of liquefied natural gas, and 21 percent of soybeans passing through its waters.
"Using big data, the report objectively illustrates the bustling maritime traffic in the South China Sea, providing evidence that navigation in the region is free, safe, and fully guaranteed. It plays a critical role in facilitating global trade, and maintaining and promoting sustainable economic and social development of various countries," said Zhang Haiwen, executive vice president of the Chinese Society for the Law of the Sea.
Report on South China Sea shipping safety, development released
Springtime flower-viewing tours are emerging as a major attraction across China ahead of this year's Qingming Festival, with cities and rural destinations rolling out cultural performances, interactive travel services and countryside experiences to lure visitors and boost the tourism economy.
Falling on April 5 this year, the Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and paying tributes to ancestors. The three-day holiday also provides a short break for Chinese citizens to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing in pleasant springtime temperatures.
In north China's Tianjin Municipality, both locals and tourists from other parts of the country have gathered for a begonia flower festival, running from Saturday to April 12, which features 123 performances throughout the event.
At the city's well-known Wudadao historical urban area, or the Five Great Avenues, begonia blossoms are now in full bloom, while newly launched sightseeing carriages have added a fresh highlight, bringing in a larger influx of visitors ahead of the holiday.
To enhance the festive atmosphere, nearly 200 local businesses have decorated their storefronts in a festival theme.
Tianjin has also introduced new efforts to integrate culture, tourism and commerce. A locally developed mini-program as well as multiple interactive games combine festival schedules, guided maps, recommended routes and discount coupons, allowing tourists to access services and unlock surprises during their visits.
During last year's three-day Qingming holiday, the festival helped major scenic spots and commercial areas in the city's Heping District receive more than 3 million visits, generating over 800 million yuan (about 116 million U.S. dollars) in combined tourism-related revenue.
This year, local authorities expect both visitor numbers and overall revenue to rise even further.
Similar momentum is also being seen in central China's Hunan Province. In Xiangfeng Village in Changsha City, rapeseed flowers are now in full bloom, drawing crowds of holiday travelers and turning the village into a popular flower-viewing destination on the outskirts of the provincial capital ahead of Qingming.
The village has developed more than 10 featured courtyard-style businesses, including teahouses, eco-farms, yoga courses and rural art centers.
These venues cover a wide range of services such as dining, team-building, wellness, art education and camping, helping build a diversified rural industry that combines agricultural tourism, wellness tourism and commercial tourism.
In the first quarter of this year alone, the village received about 120,000 tourist visits, generating 4.8 million yuan (around 698,000 U.S. dollars) in tourism income.
The growing courtyard economy has helped turn natural scenery into real economic gain, creating jobs for villagers and providing them with a steady increase in income.
In east China's Anhui Province, spring blossoms are also bringing a boost to rural tourism.
On the shores of Jianshan Lake in Chaohu, Hefei City, blooming peach flowers and rapeseed flowers have attracted large numbers of tourists in recent days.
Jianshan Lake, a reservoir covering over 50 hectares, has also become a hub for both professional and recreational water activities.
While trained athletes practice motorboat events on the lake, ordinary visitors can also enjoy boat rides and go-kart-style watercraft experiences.
The area has further enriched its tourism offerings with camping zones, a pet-themed park and fruit-picking gardens, providing a wider range of activities for holiday travelers.
The integrated development of agriculture, culture and tourism has also created new employment opportunities for local residents, enabling more villagers to find jobs closer to home and improve their incomes as the spring tourism season gains pace.
Tourism, culture, commerce blend across China during Qingming Festival holiday
