China is adding train services, keeping railway stations open overnight and expanding highway capacity as the seven-day National Day holiday begins, with 334 million trips between regions expected on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Transport.
The holiday, also known as National Day Golden Week, is one of China's main travel periods, with many people taking vacations or visiting family.
Road travel is expected to account for nearly 90 percent of the day's trips. Highway traffic rose sharply after toll-free travel for passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer began at 00:00.
To keep traffic moving, highway service areas and toll plazas in many parts of the country have opened additional access ramps and lanes.
Railways operators planned 2,324 additional train services for Thursday as passenger trips are forecast to reach 24.8 million.
Overnight high-speed trains continue to run on major routes linking Beijing with Shanghai in east China, Guangzhou in the south and Harbin in the northeast. High-speed rail stations in cities including Chengdu in southwest China, Shanghai and Guangzhou are also operating through the night.
Waterway transport operators expect 1.34 million passenger trips. The ministry's rescue and salvage services have stepped up readiness and precautions against severe weather to ensure safe shipping.
Civil aviation operators are expected to handle 2.51 million passengers and 19,982 flights nationwide on Thursday.
China adds trains, expands highway capacity for National Day travel rush
Multiple border ports across China held flag-raising ceremonies to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
China's National Day, which falls on October 1 every year, often sees flag-raising ritual performed by the country's service members.
At the ports in northeast China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and east China's Shandong Province, the majestic national anthem of the People's Republic of China was played while the five-star red flag was hoisted. "I have witnessed the flag-raising ceremony, during which young men of the current flag guard of honor are radiant. I wish our motherland prosperity, and all the best!" said Zhao Zhihong, a tourist in Inner Mongolia.
"Today, I am honored to be a member of the national flag guard team at the port and carry out the flag-raising mission at the Erenhot Port. The moment the five-star red flag was raised, I felt extremely proud in my heart. In the future, I will stand firm in my position, perform my duties conscientiously and safeguard the northern border of our motherland," said Song Jing, a member of the national flag guard team in Inner Mongolia.
At the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port, the entry-exit administration departments of the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao formed a joint flag guard team to raise the national flag together.
"Today, Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao raised the national flag in the same sea area synchronously, which makes me feel that we are connected with the same water, and united under the national flag. This is the power of the national flag and also the most vivid and fresh portrayal of the integrated development of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao," said Wang Xiaolong, a member of the national flag guard team and a police officer of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge border inspection station.
"I was deeply inspired while watching the flag-raising ceremony here, very excited. I wish everyone a happy National Day and our country prosperity!" said Lui Ka-yeung, Immigration Officer of Heung Yuen Wai Control Point under Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
At the Dulongjiang Frontier Police Station in southwest China's Yunnan Province and the Paiyik Border Police Station in northwest China' Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, police officers raised the national flag and sang the national anthem together with people of all ethnic groups.
Chinese border ports hold National Day flag-raising ceremonies
