China conducted its first large-scale cross-grid green electricity transaction of the year through market-oriented trading, according to the Guangzhou Power Exchange Center on Friday.
Via the power exchange centers in Guangzhou and Beijing, green power from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and southwest China's Yunnan will be continuously supplied to Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian in east China from March 6 until March 31.
The transaction volume will reach 314 million kilowatt-hours, 100 percent of which is green electricity, with wind power accounting for 90 percent and photovoltaic power accounting for 10 percent.
"More than 100 wind and solar power stations in Guangxi and Yunnan have participated in this transaction, further enhancing the efficiency of optimizing power resource allocation nationwide and fully supporting the green energy needs of enterprises in east China for resuming work and production after the Spring Festival holiday," said Chen Yufang, deputy director of the trading organization department at the Guangzhou Power Exchange Center.
The transaction is estimated to involve a total electricity volume equivalent to saving 100,000 tons of standard coal and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 260,000 tons.
China conducts first large-scale cross-grid green electricity trading in 2026
The Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal on Friday welcomed its first international cruise ship of the year at the North Bund, with hundreds of foreign travelers disembarking to explore the east China metropolis.
The luxury cruise ship 'Seven Seas Explorer' set sail from the Philippines on February 28 carrying more than 680 passengers from across the globe, with Shanghai being its fourth port of call during its voyage.
After docking, passengers gradually descended the gangway, pausing to admire the iconic landmarks lining both banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River.
At the immigration inspection hall, foreign travelers completed entry procedures before beginning a two-day, one-night tour of the city. Significantly, 99 percent of them qualified for China's 15-day visa-free policy for international cruise tour groups.
During their stay, visitors will take part in guided city tours and sample local delicacies and beverages, experiencing Shanghai's cultural and culinary highlights firsthand.
"It is wonderful, China is beautiful. Shanghai is a wonderful city," said a foreign tourist. "It is our first time. We don't have a [visa]. I don't have a visa, so we're traveling through the ship with them. Anything that helps us come into China is good for us as far as I'm concerned," another foreign tourist said.
With the arrival of the "Seven Seas Explorer", Shanghai’s cruise terminals are poised for a new peak in international arrivals. The Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal is scheduled to host 20 cruise ship calls in 2026, underscoring the city’s growing role as a gateway for global maritime tourism.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has implemented a visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups entering China via cruise ships since May 2024, with the measure aimed at boosting exchanges and supporting the growth of China's tourism industry.
Shanghai welcomes first int'l cruise ship of 2026
