China predicts over 1.52 bln cross-regional trips during May Day holiday

An estimated 1.52 billion cross-regional passenger trips were made across China during the five-day May Day holiday from May 1 to 5, according to the Ministry of Transport on Tuesday.

The high travel volume indicates a continued and robust recovery in the country's tourism and travel economy, a major driver of consumption.

The ministry said daily trips averaged over 300 million during the holiday, up 4.0 percent from the same period last year.

Journeys by road comprised the vast majority of the travel, accounting for an estimated 1.4 billion trips. Most of the remaining trips were handled by the country's railways, which seated over 106 million passengers, more than 21 million per day.

Meanwhile, waterways were expected to carry 8.5 million trips, or 1.7 million daily, and civil aviation was forecast to see about 10.5 million, averaging 2 million per day.

China predicts over 1.52 bln cross-regional trips during May Day holiday

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that efforts are ongoing to help end the conflict between the United States and Iran.

Addressing ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, Dar said Pakistan has been engaging both sides to secure a ceasefire and promote dialogue.

The goal is to persuade both sides to reach a peace agreement, something the region and the world need, he said, expressing hope that ongoing consultations, supported by multiple countries, would help resolve the conflict in a "win-win" manner.

A ceasefire took effect on April 8, followed by talks between Iranian and U.S. delegations in Islamabad that failed to produce a deal.

Pakistani FM hopeful of mediation progress to end Mideast conflict