China's online transactions saw a remarkable increase in both volume and value during the just-concluded Spring Festival holiday, data from the People's Bank of China (PBOC) showed on Tuesday.
From Feb 15 to 23, Chinese online payment-clearing house NetsUnion Clearing Corporation and card payment giant China UnionPay processed approximately 39.3 billion online transactions totaling 13.12 trillion yuan (about 1.9 trillion U.S. dollars), according to the PBOC.
Compared to last year's Spring Festival holiday period, the average daily number of transactions rose by 37.45 percent and the average daily value of transactions by 19.26 percent.
The PBOC data also showed that in the same comparison period, the average daily value of transactions that inbound travelers made using the two platforms increased 78.1 percent in volume and 44.33 percent in value.
The Spring Festival, which is also known as Chinese New Year, fell on Feb 17 this year. It is usually a period of vibrant consumption activities as people return home for family reunions or travel to tourist destinations to celebrate the holiday.
China's online transactions rise during Spring Festival holiday
China's online transactions rise during Spring Festival holiday
China's online transactions rise during Spring Festival holiday
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker visited Tongji University in Shanghai on Wednesday, before attending the opening ceremony of the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in the city on Thursday.
Stocker is paying an official visit to China until Saturday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
While delivering a speech at the Tongji University, he put scientific research and higher education cooperation in the spotlight.
"Austria and China will build the future together, bringing mutual benefits to both countries. This requires courage, confidence and long-term commitment," said the Austrian chancellor, noting that Austria will be a trustworthy partner to China in opening a new chapter for cooperation.
At a panel discussion, participants from both countries discussed the future of science and engineering.
Recent exchanges between the Tongji University and Austrian universities focused on joint research, student mobility and the growing role of artificial intelligence in engineering education.
"This year marks the 55th anniversary of [the establishment of] diplomatic ties between China and Austria, and 100 years [the 100th year] since Professor Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University. These two milestones invite us to look back at history. The longstanding friendship between Chinese and Austrian engineers is a vivid example of China's openness to the world," said Wan Gang, honorary president of the China Association for Science and Technology.
In 1926, Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University, helping train China's first generation of internal combustion engine specialists. A century later, his family donated historical archives and a statue of him to the university.
There has been close cooperation between the Tongji University and AVL List GmbH, which was founded by Hans List and is one of the world's leading mobility technology companies for engineering, simulation, and testing in the automotive industry.
A century ago, Austria brought some of its most advanced engineering technologies to China. Today, the two countries are building on that legacy, strengthening their friendship and partnership, and driving a new wave of innovation together.
Austrian chancellor visits Tongji University in Shanghai
