The Chinese Gymnastics Association and the Chinese Table Tennis Association issued statements on Saturday in support of law enforcement agencies cracking down on illegal activities related to toxic fandom culture in sports.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Public Security released details about four typical cases of illegal activities associated with toxic fandom culture in sports.
In one case, the police investigated an incident where an individual named Yang was found to have publicly insulted a gymnast on social media, causing significant public outrage and administrative actions were taken.
The Chinese Gymnastics Association condemned the spread of baseless rumors, the incitation of public outrage, and all slanderous attacks against gymnasts, coaches, and staff.
"These actions not only have a profoundly negative impact on the work, lives, and families of those involved but also undermine the long-standing tradition of unity and patriotism that has defined the Chinese gymnastics team," the association stated.
"The development of gymnastics in China relies on the support and care of the entire society, and we are deeply grateful to the many gymnastics fans who have stood by the team through thick and thin."
On Saturday, the Chinese Table Tennis Association also expressed its support for the crackdown, condemning all forms of illegal activity.
The association noted that toxic fan culture has severely disrupted the normal training and competition schedules of the Chinese table tennis team, affecting the work, lives and families of athletes, coaches, and staff, as well as causing harmful social consequences.
Chen Meng, 30, who won the women's singles gold medal in table tennis at the Paris Olympics, was asked about the recent actions taken by law enforcement against toxic fan behavior in sports.
"Fans always want to see their favorite athletes win, but there will always be winners and losers in sports. I hope fans will be able to face that reality," Chen said. "If someone follows sports, they must be mentally prepared to accept victory and defeat. That's the essence of competitive sports."
"I also hope fans focus more on the athletes' fighting spirit on the field and their courage in the face of challenges," Chen added.
The opening ceremony of the "ACE! Australian Comics Exhibition" hosted by the Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai, IllustrateYourLife studio, and Sinan Mansions, was held in downtown Shanghai on August 23. The Australian Consul-General in Shanghai John Williams mentioned the comic traditions of both Australia and Shanghai, saying the purpose of this exhibition is to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia.
"The role of this exhibition goes beyond just the artistic; it also connects Australian art with the younger generation in China," hoping that the event would create opportunities for educational cooperation, he added.
"Through this opportunity, I have gained a deeper understanding of Chinese comics and also made friends with Chinese artists," said Australian cartoonist Ben Mitchell, the designer of the exhibition's mascot, Casey, in his speech.
Open until September 16, the exhibition features the works of 20 outstanding Australian cartoonists, drawing the attention of numerous comic enthusiasts and professionals.
Cartooning had a long tradition in Australia, dating well back into the 19th century. The Australian Cartoonists Association is one of the world's oldest cartoon organizations.
Shanghai, as the birthplace of modern comics in China, has also nurtured outstanding cartoonists like Feng Zikai, and important publications in the history of modern Chinese comics like the Shanghai Sketch.
"The ACE! exhibition series showcases the outstanding and original comic art from Australia. Australia's comic industry is booming, with the continuous rise of the global interest in 'graphic novels', and diverse comic themes and creators," said Williams, the consul general of Australia in Shanghai, at the opening ceremony.
The 2024 Norway Film Festival will be launched on August 30 across various cities in China and run until September 8. Featuring eight movies and 16 screenings, the festival is expected to showcase Norway's cultural history The films to be screened are Songs of Earth, Titina (2022), Pathfinder, a-ha: The Movie (2021), The King's Choice, Out Stealing Horses (2019), Gunda (2020), and Utøya 22. juli (2018).
In Songs of Earth, the audience can follow the journey of a father to experience four seasons of a year with the mountainous landscapes of Norway providing a captivating backdrop for cinematic nature. A magnificent, existential journey with the filmmaker's parents as its human yardstick, and with the primordial forces of the earth looming in the bedrock. Titina (2022) tells the story of two nobles and a lap dog on a dangerous quest to the North Pole. Pathfinder is the first film in the world to be directed and starred in by the Sámi, an indigenous group from the Arctic. The movie will take the audience back to the folklore of Finnmark 1,000 years ago. a-ha: The Movie (2021) showcases three friends who want to conquer the world with their music, which their mega-hit "Take on Me" actually did. Even today the most successful band in Norway's history, a-ha, still plays worldwide.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Sunday blasted US sanctions on Chinese companies over their alleged involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a typical example of long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions, vowing "necessary measures" to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.
On Friday (US time), the US imposed sanctions on more than 400 entities and individuals for allegedly supporting Russia in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including Chinese companies, Reuters reported, citing the US State Department.
It said the Biden administration's sanctions include measures against companies in China allegedly involved in shipping machine tools and microelectronics to Russia. The US also added 42 companies in China to its Entity List, forcing suppliers to obtain licenses before shipping to targeted companies, according to the report.
China firmly opposes the sanctions, a MOFCOM spokesperson said in a statement published on the ministry's website.
The practice is a typical example of long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions, which disrupt international trade norms and rules, impedes normal trade between countries, and affects the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, said the spokesperson.
"We urge the US to immediately halt these misguided actions, and China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," the spokesperson said.
China's position on the Ukraine issue has been consistent and clear. The Chinese government is always neutral on the Ukraine issue and has never supplied weapons to either party, He Weiwen, senior fellow from the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Sunday.
"The US may continue to sanction Chinese companies and add more Chinese firms to its Entity List citing various excuses, for which we should be fully prepared and firmly oppose," He stressed.
The latest US move against Chinese companies comes as US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will visit China from Tuesday to Thursday, the Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
While continuously carrying out suppression targeting Chinese companies, especially in the high-tech sector, the US continues to enhance cooperation with China, He said. China-US economic and trade relations are showing a stable trend, as the value of bilateral trade so far in 2024 has slightly increased.
"As two large countries, it's difficult for China and the US to maintain sound relations but it's also hard for them to break up. The two will likely maintain cooperation despite competition," Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Chinese and African leaders will meet in Beijing in early September for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) - the largest diplomatic event to be hosted by China in recent years with the highest attendance of foreign leaders. The event will showcase the sincere friendship and achievements from decades of China-Africa collaboration and set the new direction for future cooperation, said analysts from China and African countries, stressing that the gathering is also expected to set an example for Global South cooperation and contribute to global development and stability.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend FOCAC's opening ceremony on September 5 and deliver a keynote speech. During the summit, President Xi will host a welcoming banquet and related bilateral events for the leaders of FOCAC's African members and representatives of related African regional organizations and international organizations invited to the summit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Friday.
The 2024 FOCAC will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. Chinese and African leaders will discuss the theme of "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," focusing on friendship, cooperation, and future prospects, Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong said at a briefing on Friday.
Chen explained that during the summit, four high-level meetings will be held in parallel, covering the topics of governance, industrialization and agricultural modernization, peace and security, and high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The summit marks another grand gathering of the China-Africa big family. It is also the largest diplomatic event China has hosted in recent years, with the highest attendance of foreign leaders. Leaders of many African countries and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission will lead delegations. The UN Secretary-General will be a special guest and relevant international and regional organizations will also attend the summit as observers, said Chen.
Analysts said the summit will boost China-Africa relations, advance modernization, and foster a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, ushering in a new chapter for Global South cooperation and offering new hope for global peace and development.
The summit is to be held as the global community seeks a vital dialogue amid rising anti-globalization trends such as isolationism, populism, protectionism, political instability, and retreating democracies, Dennis Munene Mwaniki, Executive Director of the China-Africa Center at the Africa Policy Institute, told the Global Times.
FOCAC has elevated China-Africa development cooperation to new heights, boosting investment and financing in Africa. Moreover, it has introduced tariff-free measures for more African products and supported Africa's economic diversification, industrialization, and processing industry development. FOCAC has also enhanced political dialogue and high-level exchanges, allowing China to share its governance experience with African countries, Mwaniki told the Global Times.
New tech fuels cooperation
Many African scholars expressed hope for more cooperation in high-tech fields between China and Africa.
A significant number of the telecommunications infrastructure on the continent today was built by China, financed by China or implemented by China, in less than 30 years. We are hoping these companies that have already landed in China will bring more digital technology in Africa, Mwangi Wachira, advisor to the government of Kenya and former economist at the World Bank, told the Global Times on Friday. With regard to Chinese new-energy vehicles, Wachira said that in terms of attracting foreign direct investment, the new energy sector is the fastest growing on the continent, and is led by Chinese companies.
Under the current wave of global sci-tech revolution and industrial change, technological cooperation and innovation are of great significance in promoting the transformation and upgrading of China-Africa industries, according to a report released by the China-Africa Business Council on Friday.
Currently, Africa's digital economy stands at $115 billion. In its report, Endeavor, a global network of entrepreneurs, predicts that by 2050, the continent's digital economy will reach $712 billion, representing significant potential for growth. This means that Chinese companies will share more digital tech achievements to promote the connectivity of digital infrastructure construction, according to the report.
Innovations in financial cooperation including promoting the internationalization of the yuan and helping African countries develop inclusive financing are also on the way, the report said.
"China-Africa cooperation is important, as the world needs more than one point of view. The world needs to be truly multilateral. We want a multipolar world. The collaboration between Africa and China does help to create that multipolar world. It is a world that gives Africa all the hope that their voices will be heard," said Wachira.
"Through this summit, the profound friendship between China and Africa will be further deepened, and a more active voice will be raised in the global governance arena under the Global South to strive for more development opportunities for developing countries," Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times.
Shaolin kung fu can involve agile movements, resilient spirit, elegant motions or powerful strikes. Regardless of age, race, gender, or body type, every Shaolin disciple shares a common belief.
This belief is not only a pursuit of martial arts skills, but also a way of life and a spiritual realm.
Over the last weekend, a total of 144 martial art masters from 47 countries and regions competed in the finals of the 2024 Shaolin Games hosted at the Shaolin Temple in Central China's Henan Province, contending for the title of "2024 World Shaolin Kung Fu Star." Along with them were hundreds of kung fu lovers who gathered to show their skills, share their personal journeys and meet their peers.
After two days of fierce competition, 10 contestants from China, the US, Australia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Zambia, Peru and other countries were crowned as the "2024 World Shaolin Kung Fu Stars."
Shaolin Temple abbot Shi Yongxin told the Global Times that "there are many people practicing Shaolin kung fu around the world. Different people have different affinities, and their understanding and gains from the culture vary. Everyone has their own story."
Shaolin culture has been passed down for many years without interruption, forming its own cultural system and way of life. This culture is suitable for people of different age groups. From what we see now, the needs of different countries, regions, and cultures are different, he said.
"People are dedicated and serious about Shaolin culture, with a sense of reverence and pilgrimages bringing them together," the abbot stressed.
Luis Mello from Brazil is one such practitioner. Burly and strong with a bushy white curly beard, he wields a monk's spade and wears Buddhist beads around his neck.
He looks just like Lu Zhishen, the Flowery Monk from the classic Chinese novel Water Margin.
Mello has been practicing martial arts since he was a teenager, spanning over 40 years. Throughout his life, he has trained in various martial arts styles and even founded the Instituto Lohan in Brazil, where he has many disciples.
His immersion in Chinese culture doesn't stop there. He also practices qigong, plays traditional Chinese musical instruments, studies various philosophical schools of thought and pursues Chinese traditional arts such as Go.
Amid the cheers of the crowd, Clément Vaudagne from France almost stumbled to the ground. Then, suddenly, he got up and performed a clear and powerful set of combination punches.
This was the famous "Drunken Fist" routine in martial arts, known for its blend of drunken movements and intricate techniques.
Vaudagne, 18, chose to bring his "Drunken Fist" to the Shaolin Temple competition, earning him much applause and cheers.
"Winning the championship is but a fleeting moment, whereas practicing martial arts is a lifelong pursuit," he told the Global Times.
Vaudagne's master, Alexandre Cordaro, also known as Yan Yi in the Shaolin system, is a dedicated Shaolin kung fu practitioner from France. His journey began as a child, inspired by the discipline and philosophy the practice embodies.
Today, at 37 years old, Cordaro owns and operates a small temple in France where he imparts the wisdom of Shaolin to his students and reflects on the life-changing impact it has had on him.
"I built it stone by stone, block by block with my hands," Cordaro told the Global Times, recounting the establishment of his temple: the Centre culturel du temple Shaolin de France.
His understanding of Shaolin is not merely physical, but deeply philosophical, emphasizing the importance of self-control, discipline, and the spiritual aspects inherent in the practice.
Moreover, Cordaro's commitment to Shaolin culture is evident in his annual pilgrimages to the Shaolin Temple, which he considers a vital part of his life's work. His experiences in China have been instrumental in shaping both his personal philosophy and his approach to teaching.
Among the representatives from Africa, 6-year-old Fair Nvirenda stood out and was always positioned in the center during performances.
This boy, more commonly known as Chu San, is an orphan adopted by the Shaolin Temple in Zambia. From a young age, Chu San has shown exceptional martial arts talent and a calm demeanor, making him a little star at the Shaolin Temple in Zambia and a "big brother" to other older martial arts practitioners.
Chu San's master, Max Yollando, better known by his Buddhist name Yan Ming, was originally a psychology student from Cote d'Ivoire. He became fascinated with Chinese culture and Shaolin kung fu when he was a kid, since kung fu movies are popular in Africa.
In 2016, he came to the Shaolin Temple for short-term training and returned in 2017, staying for nearly six years. He even joined the Shaolin Monk Corps, showcasing Shaolin culture across China.
In 2022, Yan Ming was assigned to the Shaolin Temple in Zambia.
"At the Shaolin Cultural Center in Zambia, we have adopted more than 30 orphans from difficult living conditions, teaching them Chinese and kung fu. In the future, they may come to China to continue their studies and bring the best of China back to Africa, helping to build a better Zambia," Yan Ming said.
Population of Siberian tigers in China is growing following a concerted effort to save the endangered species, and the construction of a national park-based system which has provided a suitable habitat for tigers.
China has four subspecies of tigers of the Siberian tiger, Indochinese tiger, Bengal tiger, and South China tiger, making it the country with the most tiger subspecies.
Over recent years, the country has continuously strengthened tiger conservation efforts through a series of effective measures, including establishing a series of natural reserves and management stations in the wild tiger distribution areas, designated important tiger habitats, strengthened habitat patrols and monitoring, the Global Times learned from National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) on Monday, which also marks International Tiger Day.
China has built a Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park covering an area of 1.41 million square kilometers, putting in place an integrated "sky and ground" monitoring system.
The enhancement of tiger habitats has effectively protected the largest population and the only stable breeding family of tigers in China. Within the national park, the tiger population has grown to around 70, and in 2023, eight breeding families and over 20 cubs were recorded, with a distribution range exceeding 11,000 square kilometers, about 80 percent of the total area of the park.
The government remains committed to improving the scientific rescue process and standards for endangered species such as the Siberian tiger, as well as establishing a system for the prevention and diagnosis of common diseases, according to the NFGA.
Measures have been implemented to strictly prohibit the sale, purchase, import, and export of tigers and their products, and to disrupt the poaching, smuggling, and illegal trade of tiger products. China is actively engaging in international cooperation and exchanges with countries where tigers are distributed.
In March this year, China and Russia jointly established a research lab on Siberian tiger conservation at Northeast Forestry University in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.
The lab encompasses research areas such as wildlife ecology and management, Siberian tiger feeding and breeding, and wildlife genetics.
Also known as the Amur tiger, the Siberian tiger is one of the most endangered animals in the world and a rare species of the forest ecosystem mainly living in Russia's Far East and Northeast China. About 500 Siberian tigers are believed to be living in the wild, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Farmers pick high-quality locally grown grapes on a plantation in Chaohu, East China's Anhui Province on July 28, 2024. In recent years, Chaohu has made great efforts to create jobs and incomes for farmers and contribute to rural revitalization. Photo: VCG
Editor's Note: As Washington has intensified its efforts to strengthen the trilateral alliance with Seoul and Tokyo, East Asia is experiencing heightened tensions and, for many in the region, East Asia is almost on the brink of potential conflict. Against this backdrop, in an interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Xia Wenxin, Kwon Ki-sik (Kwon), president of the Korea-China City Friendship Association (KCCFA) and distinguished professor at Seoul Media Graduate University, said that South Korea should not be serving "as a pawn in the US' anti-China strategy." South Korea must restore balanced diplomacy as soon as possible, Kwon said. He also shared his views on China-South Korea relations, the importance of trilateral cooperation among Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo, and his recent trip to Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
GT: The US-Japan-South Korea trilateral leaders' summit at Camp David in August last year signaled that the US is strengthening cooperation with its two allies in East Asia. How do you see Washington's efforts to pull in Japan, and especially South Korea?
Kwon: The US' intention to strengthen the US-South Korea-Japan trilateral alliance in East Asia means that it is difficult for the US to deal with China by itself. Unable to deal with China militarily and economically, the US now adopts a strategy to create an anti-China alliance with South Korea and Japan, two economic and military powers in East Asia.
The US' promotion of its alliance with South Korea and Japan is to demand a share in the military costs of defending against China, for example, through increased defense spending for the US military in South Korea.
[During his tenure,] former US president Donald Trump, called for a fivefold increase in South Korea's share of defense spending. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who have weak domestic political bases, have no choice but to bow to Washington's demands. Increased military cooperation between South Korea and the US is also likely to result in an increase in military tensions in East Asia. It is also likely to increase the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula.
GT: At its annual summit this month, NATO proposed to deepen cooperation with the four Asia-Pacific countries, namely, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, in a wide range of areas. Why is NATO strengthening cooperation with these four countries? Is NATO expanding into the Asia-Pacific region?
Kwon: NATO recently proposed deepening cooperation with four Asia-Pacific countries in a variety of areas, which is consistent with the US strategy to strengthen the South Korea-US-Japan military alliance. The US believes that an anti-China military alliance in East Asia is not enough. Therefore, it is calling for NATO to cooperate with the four countries in the Asia-Pacific, with the intention of weakening China's influence in both East Asia and the Pacific and to bring European countries with diverse security interests together in a united anti-China front. NATO has also recognized the importance of security cooperation with the US, as it has been severely threatened by the ongoing war in Ukraine. NATO is already expanding its influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
GT: Why is it important for South Korea to maintain a balance between China and the US?
Kwon: South Korea's diplomacy has always been a conflict between balanced diplomacy and pro-US alliance diplomacy. Liberal presidents such as Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in had pursued a balanced diplomacy between the US and China, while conservative presidents such as Park Geun-hye, Lee Myung-bak, and the incumbent Yoon Suk-yeol have focused on strengthening the South Korea-US alliance.
South Korea, in the middle of the US-China strategic competition, should aim for a balanced diplomacy. China is South Korea's largest export market, and South Korea's cooperation with China is essential for peace on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea should not serve as a pawn in the US' anti-China strategy. South Korea must restore a balanced diplomacy as soon as possible.
GT: How do you see the current development of China-South Korea relations?
Kwon: South Korea and China have had one of the world's most exemplary economic partnerships since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992. The two countries have achieved remarkable growth through economic cooperation and have worked together for peace on the Korean Peninsula. However, since the THAAD [Terminal High Altitude Area Defense] crisis during the Park Geun-hye administration, the relationship has started to suffer. I believe that the worst phase of the relationship [between South Korea and China] has passed. The Yoon administration, facing a difficult domestic political environment, is unlikely to make any foolish moves that would worsen the relationship over the objections of the business community. South Korea has no choice but to pursue diplomatic stability, especially since it is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2025. South Korea and China have shared economic interests, so efforts should be made to restore good relations.
GT: The leaders of China, Japan and South Korea met in Seoul for the Ninth Trilateral Summit in May this year. How do you view the prospects for cooperation among the three countries?
Kwon: The Ninth Trilateral Summit held in Seoul in May was a partial achievement in terms of communication among the leaders of the three countries amid the US strategy of strengthening the anti-China alliance. However, it is difficult to achieve much unless South Korean President Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida change from pro-US alliance diplomacy to balanced diplomacy. In particular, Yoon's and Kishida's domestic political bases are weak, making it difficult for them to utilize their diplomatic and strategic assets. After the US presidential election, the new US administration's policy toward China will inevitably affect the trilateral cooperation.
The [China-Japan-South Korea] trilateral cooperation is of great significance in reducing the threat of war in East Asia and strengthening economic cooperation. Peace and prosperity in East Asia can be achieved only through trilateral cooperation. It is important for the three countries to gradually restore trust and expand cooperation through summits and ministerial meetings as well as business-to-business, local government and cultural exchanges.
GT: You visited Xizang not long ago. Can you share with us what you saw on your trip?
Kwon: During my trip to Xizang, I toured the regional capital city of Lhasa and the second-largest city of Xigaze. Two things impressed me. The first was that the cities are very vibrant. Since the opening of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway, I got the feeling that the local economy has been undergoing a significant development, with smoother logistics and an increase in tourists. I saw that the new downtown area of Lhasa is now like the downtown area of a big city like Beijing.
Second, I didn't see any of the ethnic conflicts that the Western media have hyped. I was impressed by the respect, harmony and cooperation among ethnic Tibetans, Han and other ethnic groups. When I visited Lhasa No.8 Middle School, I saw Tibetan and Han students living together and studying the Tibetan language and traditional culture, which made me think that the Chinese government's policy of ethnic integration based on favoring ethnic minorities has been very successful.
Xizang is pursuing economic development in a highly stable situation. The Western media's critical coverage of the region is a malicious distortion of the facts. As a former journalist, I can unequivocally testify to the stability and ethnic unity of Xizang.
GT: Some Western countries, led by the US, have been attacking China on various Xizang-related issues, and recently the US, in particular, has been increasingly playing the "Xizang card" by passing the Resolve Tibet Act. After your Xizang trip, what do you think about these moves by some Western forces?
Kwon: Western politicians and media, especially those in the US, have distorted the facts about Xizang. Xizang is part of China, and the Tibetan people live in harmony with other ethnic groups. The Western media's distortions violate the media's mission to report the facts. Their false reports are motivated by a desire to attack the weak link in the defense of China's growth and global governance and to build an anti-China international order. This is not only unsuccessful, but also a foolish maneuver that will hinder the development and well-being of the Tibetan people.
GT: What role does the KCCFA play in promoting relations between our two countries? What efforts have been made?
Kwon: Since its establishment in 2016, the KCCFA has been contributing to the promotion of friendship between the two countries through local government exchanges and youth exchanges. One of the achievements of the KCCFA is the proposal and promotion of the sister city exchange program between Seoul's Geumcheon District and Xizang's Xigaze City. Since the establishment of the association's South Korea-China Economic Cooperation Center in Seoul in March, the KCCFA has been conducting various economic cooperation projects to contribute to the economic development of the two countries. In August, the China office of the South Korea-China Economic Cooperation Center will open in Hangzhou.
While at times countries may have a conflict of interest, cooperation between local governments should always be amicable. During diplomatic conflicts, local government exchanges serve as a shockproof system. I believe that it is in the national interest of South Korea to maintain friendly relations with China. The KCCFA will be China's best friend and a platform for exchanges.
As global tourism continues to pick up momentum, the demand for outbound tourism among Chinese citizens is also on the rise, as data showed that the total number of visa applications processed in the first six months of 2024 has already reached nearly 70 percent of the same period in 2019, with Europe a popular choice due to the Paris Olympics.
This year has seen a notable surge in applications for travel, studying abroad and business purposes. Visa applications in the first half of this year have reached nearly 70 percent of the same period in 2019, VFS Global, an outsourcing and technology service agency told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Among these, the demand for Schengen visas is particularly in high, it added.
Taking advantage of the 2024 European Cup and Paris Olympics, coupled with the continuous growth in visa applications for study tours and visits, Europe has become a popular choice for summer outbound travel, VFS said.
"As one of our largest and most important source markets, China is experiencing a peak in visa applications. With the resumption of flights and changes in visa policies, there has been a significant increase in the enthusiasm of Chinese citizens for high-end ooutbound tourism," said Kishen Singh, Chief Operating Officer of Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Mongolia of VFS Global.
Most applicants are from first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, Singh said.
Ahead of the Paris Olympics, which starts on Friday, Chinese tourists have become more enthusiastic about traveling to France.
China Eastern Airlines said its China-France flights have transported 16,000 passenger trips with 84.48 percent load factor in the first 18 days of July before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, up 3.94 percentage points from last month.
The carrier said that during the 2024 summer travel peak, the booking volume of China-France flights surpassed the level in the same period of 2019 and the load factor saw a 1.02 percentage point increase, the carrier told the Global Times.
Before and after the Paris Olympics, many airlines, including China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines launched or increased direct flights to France.
China Southern Airlines plans to increase its Guangzhou-Paris route from five flights a week to seven from July 26 to September 11. Hainan Airlines also plans to start a direct route from Chongqing to Paris from August 6, in addition to the current Shenzhen to Paris route.
The number of inquiries and bookings for France and Europe has increased significantly in the past few months because of the Paris Olympics, Cheng Xin, a senior travel consultant at the travel agency UTour Group Co, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
The Paris Olympics also indirectly boosted the summer tourism market across Europe. Data provided by travel platform Qunar.com showed that from July 20 to August 20, the number of international air ticket bookings for Paris increased 2.3 times compared with the same period last year.
Cheng predicted that due to the Paris Olympics, the number of Chinese tourists to France and other European countries during the summer vacation could grow by around 30 percent year-on-year.
Visa demand from Chinese travelers has been increasing steadily since 2023 and continues to accelerate in 2024, Singh said.
Major destinations for visa applications for Chinese travelers include Canada, Germany, Italy, UK and the US. Additionally, Japan, South Korea and Thailand are popular choices among countries closer to China, he added.
