China's robust holiday consumption will bring more vitality and positive expectations to the global economy, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday, in commenting on the favorable performance of the holiday economy in China during the just-concluded May Day holiday.
The latest statistics showed that during the May Day holiday running from May 1 to 5, China's total cross-regional passenger trips exceeded 1.5 billion, averaging over 300 million per day, a 4 percent increase over the same period last year. Group-buying sales at hotels rose 86 percent year on year, and box office revenue surpassed 750 million yuan (110 million U.S. dollars).
"These figures reflect the strong resilience of China's economic development and the huge potential of its domestic market. We have also noticed that a growing number of foreign tourists are choosing to take in-depth tours in China during the May Day holiday, which speaks to the appeal of China's commitment to high-level opening-up and its policies facilitating cross-border movement between China and other countries," said Lin Jian, the spokesman, at a press conference in Beijing.
"China will only open its door wider to the world. The prosperity of China transcends national borders and will surely bring more vitality and positive expectations to the global economy as a whole," he said.
China's robust holiday consumption to bring more vitality to global economy: spokesman
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday dismissed reports that Israel was caught off guard by Washington's diplomatic moves toward Iran, saying that he is in near-daily contact with U.S. President Donald Trump to ensure full coordination.
"We are in continuous contact with our friends in the United States," Netanyahu said. "I speak with President Trump on an almost daily basis. My people and his people speak daily, including today," he said.
He added that he has a planned phone call with Trump again later Wednesday night.
Israel is "ready for all scenarios" in dealing with Iran, Netanyahu said, adding that Israel and the United States share the same goals, "with the most important goal being the removal of enriched material from Iran".
Israeli officials have voiced support for renewing attacks on Iran, claiming its nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile stockpiles remain a concern.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump issued a fresh ultimatum, telling Iran to accept a deal to end the war or face a new wave of bombing "at a much higher level and intensity than it was before".
On the same day, Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir toured southern Lebanon following fresh Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese targets, telling commanders they face "no limits" in operations against Hezbollah.
Zamir also framed the fighting along the border as part of a broader regional campaign, saying Israel remained prepared for wider operations across the Middle East, including potential action against Iran.
"In Iran, we have an additional series of targets ready to be struck," he said. "We are on high alert to return to a powerful and broad campaign that will enable us to deepen our achievements and further weaken the Iranian government."
Despite Lebanese calls to halt the attacks and a fragile ceasefire that took effect last month, Israeli strikes have continued.
Israel on Wednesday evening launched its first airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs since a ceasefire with Lebanon took effect in mid-April, Lebanon's TV channel Al-Jadeed reported.
Netanyahu says Israel fully coordinated with US on Iran, prepared for "any scenarios"
