China's inbound tourism enjoyed a robust start to the new year, with a surge of international visitors drawn by the country's stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, and fueled by more streamlined entry policies.
On New Year's Day, Sanya Phoenix International Airport in the southern island province of Hainan was abuzz with excitement following the arrival of its first international flight of 2026. A group of Russian visitors were greeted not just by warm breezes, but also a vibrant display of local culture.
"So why did I come to Sanya? Because it is a good place, destination to travel, especially for the sea, especially for the good sights, fruits. And for us Russians, it's just a very rare opportunity to see those kinds of beautiful sights. So my parents came here for me to celebrate the New Year and I was just very happy. And the visa-free policy is really good," said Amina, a tourist from Russia.
At the picturesque Luhuitou Scenic Area, tourists from around the world strolled along lush pathways and scenic lookouts, soaking in the tropical island vibes.
Olga from Moldova shared her delight: "It's my second time in Hainan and I really love the sea and I really love the green, lush and tropical rainforest. So it's really beautiful here. It's gorgeous. Lots of trees, lots of flowers. It just gives you this very romantic and very beautiful experience."
In this duty-free hotspot, shopping is also high on many travelers' to-do lists. Popular malls in Sanya are bustling with international shoppers. To further enhance the experience, retailers have introduced translation devices, multilingual menus, and streamlined tax-refund services.
In the country's southwestern border region, Yunnan's cross-border tourism with Vietnam got off to a roaring start in 2026. On Thursday, the first day of the New Year, Hekou Port welcomed 263 Vietnamese tour groups with over 4,300 visitor trips, a staggering year-on-year increase of 415 percent and 535 percent, respectively.
Further west, the snowy landscapes of Beichuan County, Sichuan Province are drawing foreign visitors eager for unique winter experiences. Tourists enjoyed donning traditional Qiang ethnic costumes, joining in lively dances, and feasting on authentic local cuisine.
"It's really an amazing experience Today. The Qiang culture left a deep impression on me. I've already shared photos and videos online with my friends. I plan to stay in Sichuan a few more days to see pandas in Chengdu before going to visit Chongqing and Xi'an," said Marilun from El Salvador.
With China's welcoming inbound travel policies, global tourists are embracing the nation's diverse attractions and vibrant cultural experiences, marking a promising start to the new year for China's tourism industry.
China's visa-friendly policies boost inbound tourism during new year holiday
The United States' strikes on Venezuela and its abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on Saturday have drawn worldwide condemnations.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has struck Venezuela and captured Maduro, who was flown out of the country along with his wife.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was deeply alarmed by the U.S. military actions, his spokesperson said in a statement.
"The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect -- by all -- of international law, including the UN Charter. He's deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected," said the statement issued by spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
China called on the United States to release Maduro and his wife at once, said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Sunday.
China expresses grave concern over the U.S. forcible abduction of the Venezuelan President and his wife and taking them out of the country, said the spokesperson, adding that the U.S. move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
China calls on the United States to ensure the personal safety of Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the government of Venezuela, and resolve issues through dialog and negotiation, said the spokesperson.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called for immediate clarification of the situation around Maduro and his wife after the U.S. aggression against Venezuela.
Russia is "extremely alarmed" by reports of Maduro and his wife's forcible removal from Venezuela during the U.S. action, the ministry said in a statement.
"We call for immediate clarification of this situation. Such actions, if they actually occurred, constitute an unacceptable infringement on the sovereignty of an independent state, respect for which is a key principle of international law," the ministry added.
The ministry also said that the United States committed "an act of armed aggression" against Venezuela, which causes deep concern and condemnation.
The ministry noted that Latin America must remain a zone of peace, and Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive and military interference from outside.
Tens of thousands of people gathered on Saturday in Havana, the capital of Cuba, to denounce the U.S. military actions against Venezuela and voice support for their Latin American brother in defending its sovereignty.
At the event, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said that Latin America is not the backyard of the United States and that it neither accepts nor recognizes the Monroe Doctrine.
Condemning the U.S. strikes on Venezuela and its kidnapping of Maduro, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that such actions blatantly violated international law, and gravely infringed upon the sovereignty of Venezuela, leading to power politics rather than multilateralism and resulting in violence, chaos and turmoil.
He urged the international community to react in a strong manner through the United Nations.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro opposed the unilateral military action, urging de-escalation to protect civilians.
The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday condemned the U.S. actions against Venezuela for violating the country's sovereignty, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
"The DPRK Foreign Ministry strongly denounces the U.S. hegemony-seeking act committed in Venezuela as the most serious form of encroachment of sovereignty and as a wanton violation of the UN Charter and international laws," a ministry spokesperson was quoted by the KCNA as saying.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday said on social media that the U.S. capture of Maduro and his wife constitutes a clear violation of international law and amounts to an unlawful use of force against a sovereign state.
He said that the Maduro couple must be released immediately, adding that U.S. actions erode fundamental restraints on the use of power between states and weakens the legal framework that underpins international order.
Within the EU, nations including Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal said they are closely monitoring the situation and called for restraint and solutions based on international law.
The European Parliament criticized the U.S. action as illegal and destabilizing.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on Saturday said on social media that the EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.
"Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected," she said.
US strikes on Venezuela draw international condemnation
