Society

With the continued refinement of China's visa-free policies and pro-consumption measures, both inbound and outbound travel flows are gaining momentum during the Spring Festival period. A number of the country's large passenger inspection ports are expected to experience peak traffic volumes accordingly.

The average daily volume of inbound and outbound trips during this year's Spring Festival holiday is expected to surpass 2.05 million, up 14.1 percent year-on-year, data from the National Immigration Administration (NIA) showed on Thursday.

Major international airports will see a significant rise in passenger traffic. Outbound travel peaks are expected to occur on about February 15, which is the Spring Festival, while inbound travel peaks will likely occur on February 22 and 23.

Despite a 4-0 defeat to Japan in the U23 Asian Cup final on Saturday, the Chinese men's national under-23 football team received overwhelming applause for their performance after achieving the runners-up finish, China's best-ever result in the tournament.

China's top sport authority, the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC), and football governing body, the Chinese Football Association (CFA), both issued congratulatory letters to the team's breakthrough, noting their achievement was a "best-ever result in the tournament" and "reignited hope for the revitalization of Chinese football."

The team's "outstanding performance has boosted the morale and vitality of Chinese football, serving as a strong impetus to reinforce confidence and determination in the revitalization of the sport," the GASC letter reads.

Lanzhouxi Railway Station Platform Photo, Mar 2025

China will implement a new national railway timetable from Jan 26 as part of a regular adjustment aimed at improving network efficiency, optimizing transport supply and better supporting high-quality economic and social development, China State Railway Group, the country's rail transport operator, said on Tuesday.

According to the new timetable, the national rail network will operate 12,130 scheduled passenger trains, an increase of 243 from the current schedule. The number of freight trains will rise to 23,748, up 177, according to China State Railway Group. The changes are expected to further enhance passenger and cargo transport capacity and efficiency.

From production flaw to cultural icon, this accidental "sad horse" resonates with young professionals as a symbol of resilience in the face of exhaustion and high pressure.

A plush toy horse designed as a cheerful Chinese New Year mascot has galloped into unexpected popularity — with an ironic twist.

Created for the upcoming Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, it was originally meant to wear an upturned smile. Instead, due to a production error at a factory in Yiwu, Zhejiang province — widely known as the world's capital of small commodities — the toy left the assembly line with its mouth stitched into a distinct, down-turned pout.

"It was simply a worker's mistake — the mouth was sewn upside down," factory owner Zhang Huoqing said in an interview on Friday.