China’s outbound group travel to 138 countries & regions resumes travel services

China’s outbound group travel to 138 countries & regions resumes travel services

Beijing: China's Tourism Rebound: Beijing resumed outbound group travel to 138 countries, regions on Friday and first outbound group tour went to Japan marking the beginning of new era in tourism.

China’s outbound group tourism services were suspended since January 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions and precautionary measures.

China’s resumption of group tours to dozens of more overseas destinations, including the U.S. and Japan could lead to the revival of the country's $270 billion outbound travel spending after a COVID-era ban relaxation.

The travel destination list for China's outbound group travelers include some 78 countries, including the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and the majority of European countries, bringing the total number of destinations for group tours to 138. Japan, South Korea, and the United States are one of the most popular destination.

China’s Travel agencies are now preparing product releases and marketing strategies to meet the growing demand.

Anticipating a promising tourism market, LI NAN Deputy General Manager, Outbound Travel Department, CTG Travel says "We've been waiting for the day for the full reopening. Our company and people from the outbound travel department are so happy to see the news. We've made a lot of preparations, such as collecting resources and suppliers of destinations, releasing new and innovative products, noticing changes in customer needs like niche destinations, and releasing products with high privacy, safety and innovation, as well as those suitable for families."

Some managers of China’s Travel companies have also highlighted some challenges in the tourism industry. Flight capacity has yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, and visa applications demand more time compared to before. They predict the period following the Spring Festival will be peak time for travel, saying the best times for the industry are yet to come.

Chinese passport holders get to enjoy travelling to 31 countries visa-free and 38 countries, and China’s source tourism market recoded 8.5 million outbound trips and 1.4 billion inbound trips in 2022.

BRI: Shanghai Gears up to Host 3,000 Enterprises for China International Import Expo in Nov.2019

Shanghai, Sept.29: Shanghai gears up to host the second edition of China International Import Expo (CIIE), a symbol of international cooperation, in Shanghai, from November 05 to 10, 2019, where nearly 3,000 companies from around the globe will be gathering to strike businesses deals worth billions. Experts say China is pulling out all the stops to champion free trade and globalization, despite recent US efforts to put up more trade barriers.

Officials of the CIIE, held under the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and themed "New Era, Shared Future", is a significant move for the Chinese government to hold CIIE to give firm support to trade liberalization and economic globalization and actively open the Chinese market to the world. It facilitates countries and regions all over the world to strengthen economic cooperation and trade, and o promote global trade and world economic growth in order to make the world economy more open.

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has facilitated policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and closer people-to-people ties among countries participating in the BRI, according to the white paper titled "China and the World in the New Era."

 “The Chinese government sincerely welcomes government officials, business communities, exhibitors and professional purchasers across the world to participate in CIIE and to explore the Chinese market. We would like to work with all countries, regions and international organizations to make CIIE a world-class Expo, providing new channels for countries and regions to do business, strengthen cooperation and promote common prosperity of the world economy and trade”, the organizers of the event say.

Recently, top companies and business leaders worldwide have shown great interest in the  China International Import Expo being held in Shanghai since 2018 . The organizer said it would welcome attendees with more exhibition areas and better services.

By now, more than 1,000 enterprises have applied or registered to attend the expo, including about 200 Fortune 500 companies, and more companies are expected to join the event. The exhibition area has surpassed 270,000 square meters, according to data from the CIIE Bureau.

The exhibition hall covers technology, automobiles, equipment, medical instruments and medical care, service trade, food and agriculture.

As the world's first national-level import exposition, CIIE provides a platform for companies to display their products, popularize their brands and find more business partners in the world's second largest economy.

As put forward at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation , the first CIIE, themed "New Era, Shared Future", was held , and attracted more than 3,600 companies and attendees from 172 countries, regions and international organizations.

In 2018, over 400,000 purchasers worldwide conducted business at the expo, with the value of orders and transactions reaching $57.83 billion. About 4,000 journalists from home and abroad attended the event.

"Through CIIE, we saw China's determination to build a more open business environment, promote globalization in the market and to meet people's expectations for a better life," said Lan Zhenzhen, vice-president of French cosmetic giant L'Oreal China. "It also lets us see the government's support for companies."

Lan said the company benefits from the many policies, such as tax and fee cuts, and loosened market access, which helps the development of foreign companies in China.

During last year's event, the company displayed more than 500 products, including debuting some cutting-edge cosmetics technologies, which attracted much attention from media and other professionals in the makeup industry, Lan added. The company has confirmed its participation in the  CIIE.

The Hong Kong branch of helicopter purchasing solutions provider Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment was an exhibitor in the intelligent and high-end equipment area of CIIE last year. Zhang Rongyuan, assistant to the chairman of the company, said they benefited greatly from the event.

China International Import Expo (CIIE) has provided a rare platform for cooperation between China and the United States.

"On the economic front, CIIE opens the door to American exporters to sell goods and services in the vast Chinese market. The country has developed a strong appetite for quality products," said Khairy Tourk, a professor of economics with the Stuart School of Business at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago.

CIIE Details:

Date: From November 05, 2019 09:30 until November 10, 2019 17:30

Venue:  At Shanghai - National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) Address: No. 168 East Yinggang Road, Shanghai, China

Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone:  +86-21-67008888

Web:  https://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/

By Muhammad Arif

Silk Road International Film Festival, Xi’an, China

Islamabad, May 17: Young filmmakers from Pakistan came out brilliant at the 5th Silk Road International Film Festival and 2018 International Young Directors’ Festival held from October 8 to 13, 2018, in China’s Xi’an city, the starting point of ancient Silk Road.

With the theme of “New Era, New Silk Road and New Vision,” a total of 565 movies from 68 countries and regions competed for Golden Silk Road Media Awards and Trophies.

Pakistan’s delegation led by Jamal Shah, Jamal Sohail, Shamoon Kiani, Zafeer Butt, Farhad Riaz, M. Akram Jalla and Jawad Sharif, showcased  their cinematic works to the local and foreign cinemagoers attending the festival.

Jamal Sohail’s Taking Direction was about filmmaking where a film director goes through ups and downs of his film career. His second film Alif was about a child with special needs. Jamal Sohail’s third film Pentagram took us to a motel for eleven minutes where horror is born and breeds (the horror genre is favourite among young). Jawad Sharif’s fifty-four minute journey K2-The Invisible takes us to the snowy mountains, our precious treasure and pride up in the Northern Circuit. Shamoon Kiani was seen with two films: Let the Sun Rise which took us on the road with two innocent boys who collect trash and rags from the streets all day long and earn fifty rupees for their poor mother in the slums. Shamoon Kiani’s second short Forage is a meaningful commentary on how terrorism and violence has torn our society in bits and pieces with evil of dowry playing in the backdrop. Andkaar from Farhad Riaz, Sedentary from Akram Jalla and Loug from Zafeer Butt also received good response. Jamal Shah of Hunerkada Chief and Director General of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, lead the Pakistani delegation comprising of Rabiia Amin ,Jamal Sohail and Aijaz Gul. Jamal Shah who was wearing several caps on the occasion as distinguished actor, painter of repute, film producer, director, screenwriter and composer, was star of the night when his film Badal: Revenge of the Worthless premiered on October 10 to capacity audiences. In the post-screening session, Jamal Shah spoke of the severe challenges he had to go through filming with budget constraint as a major hassle. He advised the upcoming young film makers to open their mind to out- of- the- box options and solutions with new horizons.

Films from China, India, Australia, Nepal, Iran, Mongolia, Nederland, South Korea, Sri Lanka and United States also received enthusiastic response. The opening ceremony took place at the newly opened seven-star W Hotel which mesmerized the visitors with its amazing architecture and dazzling ambiance.

The 5th Silk Road International Film Festival included signing ceremony of Pakistan-China co production film venture Road to Heaven. Jamal Shah was one of the main speakers who spoke on the close relations between Pakistan and China. He spoke on how films can bind the two countries covering intimate relations of mankind and surroundings. This is the biggest gift mankind can give. Art brings this relationship to life covering our past, present and hope for the future. Film Road to Heaven revolves around a man who contributes to the society enormously with his love and understanding for humanity and life. The hero embarked upon journey on Silk Road with a purpose. The film may be based on the life of an individual but it covers more than just an individual. It is, in a way, a tribute to what CPEC holds for the future. Road to Heaven would open the gates to Pakistan-China film collaboration with warmth, sincerity and energy.

The festival concluded with a closing ceremony in which everyone was bid farewell and was thanked for their participation and for coming to China. Jamal Sohail and Aijaz Gul also presented a copy of their book Journey Through Lens: Pakistani Cinema at the closing ceremony as a cultural gift to Mr. Ma Dong, Dean School of Media, Xi’an Polytechnic University.

Briefing on the film festival, Lu Kelun, deputy director of the Shaanxi Press, Publication, Radio and Television Bureau, pointed out that the Silk Road Film Festival has new features and highlights compared with the previous four sessions. First, introduce the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. The second is to highlight the new image of Xi’an in Shaanxi in the new era. The third is to prosper and develop the Chinese film industry. The fourth is to implement more Huimin activities. This year’s film festival will be a film culture event that will lead the industry development, newcomers, new generations, and wonderful sharing.

It has added special activities such as “Young Director Exchange Forum”, “The Movie Debate World”, “Master Carnival” and “Showing Carnival”. During the festival, 147 outstanding films from home and abroad will be screened in 23 theaters, 30 colleges and universities, 10 comprehensive plazas and 100 demonstration communities in Xi’an, he added.

The festival used movies as a medium, which helped China to build a cultural bridge connecting countries along the Silk Road, promote cultural exchange and increase cultural recognition, to boost the Belt and Road construction, said the organizer.

By Jamal Sohail: Film Director

Connectivity: Xi,Modi Meet to Begin New Era of Cooperation, Development

 Islamabad, Oct.13: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in India on two-day trip for the “Informal Summit” held in Delhi and Chennai respectively. Xi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is facing strained bilateral ties, and low reputation and trust as a statesman because of rising vandalism in India. Though two leaders met without any formal pre-determined agenda but officials termed Xi’s trip as “informal summit".

After Delhi, Xi and Modi met in the coastal town of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu, which had strong historical linkages with China's Fujian province, an ancient post of sea-borne Silkraod. Xi also visited the Shore Temple, dating back to the seventh and eighth centuries.

The official sources said one-to-one talks were designed for a free exchange of ideas on issues ranging from territorial disputes to India's expanding trade deficit with China, and the question related to Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei’s entrance into Indian market for 5G technology.

Despite trade-deficit and border skirmishes, the high level talks remained focused on a set of confidence-building measures.

The visit seemed nothing more than exchange of pleasantries between the so-called “buddies” as there was not any specific outcome of the two-day informal summit between PM Modi and President Xi.

But foreign official sources said India and China leaders,during the “informal summit”, attempted to find ways of bolstering trade and investment cooperation between the emerging economies.

Commenting on Xi’s India visit, Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, tweeted saying as “beginning of a new era of cooperation” .

 Speaking to an India news agency (PTI), Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said a "new set of consensus", including "guiding principles" on giving a new direction to the bilateral ties, are expected from the engagement between the two leaders.

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale in his message said Xi Jinping talked about need for enhancing defence cooperation. "Chinese President Xi Jinping talked about need for enhancing defence cooperation" .

During the talks, people-to-people relations also came under discussion. "There was new focus on people to people relations. It was decided that public of both countries must be brought in the relationship. Ideas were exchanged on this," Vijay Gokhale said.

Thanking Xi Jinping, president of world’s emerging economic power for coming to India, Modi tweeted saying "I thank President Xi Jinping for coming to India for our second Informal Summit. The #ChennaiConnect will add great momentum to India-China relations. This will benefit the people of our nations and the world" .

Though both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday agreed to set up a new mechanism for issues relating to trade and investment and felt the two countries should cooperate on important regional and global issues, but no comments and talks on Kashmir, Hong Kong, Tibet and Belt and Road Initiative were reported in media.

The only out outcome was Chinese President Xi Jinping's invitation of PM Modi to visit China for next summit, which was accepted by Modi.

Foreign affairs experts say the timing of this meeting is also very significant as it comes against the backdrop of heated exchange of words between the two sides over the Kashmir issue following India's decision to revoke the special status enjoyed by occupied Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.

From the news reports it seems that the “informal summit” aimed to prevent further deterioration of ties over the Kashmir issue and in Doklam tri-juction in Sikkim rather than focusing on charting a new roadmap of development, connectivity and cooperation between the two emerging economic giants of Asia.

India seems vooing China in the name of new era.But the roadmap of new era leads to Xi’s BRI, which India has not joined yet.

By: Dr.Muhammad Arif

BRI: China Builds World's Longest Cross-Sea Road-Rail Bridge for Regional Connectivity

Beijing, Sept. 26 (NSN): Chinese engineers and technicians have completed the main structure of the world's longest cross-sea road-rail bridge in its southeastern province of Fujian to bolster cultural exchanges and business development with Taiwan.This mega project of transportation and logistics reinforces China’s leadership in infrastructure investment.

Located in southeastern China's Fujian Province, the Pingtan Strait Road-rail Bridge, 16.34 km, showcases marvelous work of Chinese transportation engineering.

More than 1.24 million tonnes of steel have been used for the bridge, enough to build 190 Eiffel Towers.

Some 2.97 million cubic meters of cement, nine times the amount of cement used to build the Burj Khalifa towers in Dubai, the world's tallest skyscraper.

Officials say the bridge, which is expected to open in 2020, can help shorten travel time from two hours to half an hour between Fuzhou, capital city of Fujian Province and Pingtan, a pilot zone set up to facilitate trade and cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.

Experts say Pingtan Strait Road-rail Bridge will help attract more businesses to the island and further boost its economic development.

During the last decade, China has been seen as a "powerhouse of infrastructure development " for countless dazzling megaprojects, with the Chinese builders breaking their own world records.

It is worth noting that China is home to the world's highest bridge, longest cross-sea bridge and 90 out of the 100 highest bridges built this century.

From 2015 to 2020, China's transportation investment is expected to exceed 2.1 trillion U.S. dollars, with a substantial portion reserved for bridge construction.

Experts also say infrastructure development remains a top priority for China’s government, which believes that a modern economy runs on reliable roads and rails, electricity, and telecommunications.

Besides the Pingtan Strait Road-rail Bridge, China’s leadership has charted equally ambitious infrastructure development plans for the future. And, BRI is one of them, which is likely to increase the efficient transport logistics to tie the Eurasian region together and boost regional economic development.

By : Muhammad Arif

Iraq, PetroChina Sign 1.07-bln-USD Deal to Process Gas in Halfaya Oilfield

Baghdad, May  16: Iraq government and a Chinese company have signed a 1.07-billion-U.S. dollar agreement to process associated gas extracted from Iraq's southern giant Halfaya oilfield, paving way for the Chinese companies to boost cooperation with the Middle Eastern partners in the energy sector under the Belt and Road Initiative .

In the signing ceremony at the Iraqi Oil Ministry in Baghdad, PetroChina, which is the listed arm of state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation, signed a contract for gas processing plant (GPP) project with China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation (CPECC).

The contract aims to process associated gas with capacity of around 300 million cubic feet of standard gas per day from Halfaya oilfield.

Also in the ceremony, Maysan Oil Company, the owner of Halfaya oilfield, signed a memorandum of understanding with PetroChina, which is the main operator of Halfaya oilfield, to ensure the implementation of the required specifications included in the contract with CPECC.

GPP project will contribute to reducing gas flare pollution to environment, and will also contribute significantly to resolving power shortage problem by providing dry gas to power stations in Maysan province.

Iraqi Oil Minister Thamir al-Ghadhban said in the ceremony that "the GPP project signed today between PetroChina and CPECC, is one of the important and strategic projects for developing the gas industry in Iraq."

"The contract will stop the burning and waste of gas and will provide jobs for many Iraqis," al-Ghadhban said.

For his part, China's Ambassador to Iraq Zhang Tao said in the ceremony that "the relations between China and Iraq have seen a significant progress in all fields, particularly in oil and gas field."

"We have many companies working in cooperation with Iraq's oil ministry," he said, adding that "cooperation in the field of oil and energy is an important part of the cooperation between the two countries, as China is the biggest importer of the Iraqi oil."

Liu Haijun, president of CPECC, said that "the project of processing gas in Halfaya is of great importance for the development of Iraq's economy, and will contribute to providing sufficient dry gas for power stations."

He said that one of the priorities of CPECC is providing job opportunities for Iraqis in the project as well as transferring modern technology to Iraq.

GPP project is scheduled to complete after 30 months, making Halfaya the first oilfield eliminating gas flaring in Iraq.

Halfaya is located in east of the Maysan's provincial capital Amarah, and it is the largest oilfield of Maysan oil company, producing about 400,000 barrel per day