Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong is handling this year's 40-day Spring Festival travel rush with the help of sci-tech innovation and upgraded services, improving millions of passengers' travel experience.
China's 2026 Spring Festival travel rush started on Monday, 15 days ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 17 this year. The festival is one of the most important holidays in China, celebrated with family reunions and wishes for good luck.
The Baiyun airport's newly built Terminal 3, which began operations in October 2025, is handling the Spring Festival travel rush for the first time.
Over the 40-day period, the airport is expected to handle more than 10.5 million passenger trips, averaging over 260,000 passenger trips per day, up 11.77 percent year on year.
During the period, around 65,700 flights are projected to take off and land at the airport, with a daily average of 1,643 flights, representing an increase of 8.45 percent year on year, making it one of the busiest Spring Festival travel seasons on record.
The operation on day one of the travel rush appeared relatively calm, thanks in part to the scientific and technological innovation. Dozens of smart machines have been installed at the new terminal, allowing passengers to complete almost the entire boarding process through self-service: from check-in, bag drop, to even security checks.
Passengers traveling in groups of ten or more can call for a group conceige service, which will guide them through the boarding process, reducing the waiting time to the minimum.
Beyond efficiency, the airport is offering a more enjoyable travel experience. An outdoor observation deck allows passengers to watch planes take off and land, while nearby facilities include an orchid garden and even a marriage registration office, where newlyweds can officially collect their licenses.
Festive elements add to the holiday atmosphere as well. A Spring Festival fair has been set up at the airport, selling flowers and local snacks, alongside lively singing and dancing performances for travelers.
Sci-tech innovation facilitates festival travel rush at Guangzhou airport
China's top diplomat Wang Yi said on Friday that one of the top priorities at present is to contain the spread of the conflict and prevent further involvement of other countries.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, at the latter's request.
Wang elaborated on China's position, saying that the current situation in the Middle East is still deteriorating, with the conflict continuing to spread. This has not only undermined the stability of global energy supply but also led to a severe humanitarian crisis.
Resorting to force will not solve the problem, and an unjust war should not be allowed to continue, he said.
In the face of the critical situation, China and France, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should strengthen strategic communication and coordination, firmly uphold the UN Charter and international law, and prevent the world from regressing to the "law of the jungle," Wang said.
He added that the other two top priorities are for the international community to speak with one voice in calling for an immediate ceasefire and to intensify efforts to advance peace talks, and for the United Nations and the UN Security Council to play their due role in facilitating the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
Despite the difficulties, dialogue and negotiation remain the right path out of the crisis, Wang said, adding that China and France should work together toward this end.
For his part, Bonne shared his perspectives on the current situation in the Middle East, including developments in Iran and Lebanon.
He said that France and China, as major countries, both support the United Nations, abide by international law, and advocate resolving differences through dialogue.
He said that the two countries should work together to explore solutions and contribute to easing tensions and resuming negotiations.
France is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with China to push for the early achievement of peace and stability in the Middle East, he added.
China's top diplomat urges efforts to prevent escalation in Mideast conflict
