London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Apr 02, 2023

0:00
0:00

China's New Year travel set to double to 2bn trips after zero-COVID easing

Lunar New Year travel will nearly double to 2.095 billion trips this season, Chinese transportation authorities said Friday, after the country all but abolished zero-COVID restrictions last month. Nation readies for first holiday in four years without limits on movements.
This year's holiday will run for seven days through Jan. 27. Rail and other networks have prepared to serve the crush of travelers for a 40-day period starting Saturday.

The estimated number of passenger trips, released by the Ministry of Transport, would mark a recovery to 70% of the holiday traffic seen in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

China's surge in COVID-19 cases appears to be easing in some large cities, but the outbreak is far from over. Concerns linger that the travel rush will spread the disease to smaller cities and rural areas.

Migrant workers typically use the Lunar New Year holiday to travel home for family reunions. On Friday, a train station in Guangzhou that serves long-haul trips was thronged with passengers lugging large suitcases.

"My parents at home and I have already recovered from COVID," said a man who gave his surname as Lu and was on the way to visit family in southern China's Guangxi region. "There's nothing to worry about, so we'll get together with relatives."

Overseas trips are expected to climb as well from the zero-COVID lows of last year. The number of travel reservations for the week through Jan. 27 is more than six times that of the Lunar New Year holiday of 2022, according to Chinese booking site Trip.com Group. The most popular destination is Australia, followed by Thailand and Japan.

The Chinese government pave the way for the first Lunar New Year holiday in four years without major travel restrictions when it with announced a major rollback of zero-COVID rules last month.

This reversal followed protests in November where people in Beijing, Shanghai and beyond held up blank sheets of white paper and called for an end to the restrictive measures, which included lockdowns and mass testing.

The economic fallout added to the resentment of the zero-COVID policy. Gross domestic product is believed to have grown by about 3% in real terms in 2022 -- well short of the government's target of around 5.5%. The deteriorating labor market has left a growing number of young people without work.

But as the containment policy eased, COVID-19 flared up in big cities. According to estimates by regional authorities and medical professionals, 80% of Beijing residents had a history of infection at the end of the year. The ratios are 70% for Shanghai and about 64% for the inland province of Sichuan.

U.K. health analytics firm Airfinity pegged daily infections at 2.5 million and daily deaths at 16,600 in China forecasts updated Friday, up from more than 1 million and over 5,000 in a Dec. 21 forecast.

Airfinity predicts that China's cumulative deaths from COVID-19 since Dec. 1 will reach 1.7 million by the end of April, up from more than 209,000 in Friday's numbers.

Beijing and other big cities have been seeing people move about in greater numbers since late last month. In 18 large cities, the volume of subway passengers at the end of the year had bounced back to 60% of the level seen at the same period in 2019, according to Chinese brokerage Haitong Securities.

Nearly all Seven-Eleven convenience stores in Beijing were operating normally as of Monday. In December, 60 stores, or about 20% of the total in the Chinese capital, had to close temporarily as workers called in sick. Customer traffic is recovering, too, said a representative from Seven-Eleven's parent company, Japan's Seven & i Holdings.

The Lunar New Year holiday will provide the first big test of China's looser approach to containing COVID-19.
Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
Close
0:00
0:00
The G-7 aims to make global crypto regulations tougher
You Are So Beautiful
Russia arrested an American reporter for the Wall Street Journal on espionage charges
Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
Don’t Dismiss China’s Peacemaking Bid
An old French tune (by Georges Brassens) Pomplamoose ft. John Schroeder
Austrian Parliament members walk out when Volodymyr Zelensky begins speaking.
Sattahip Motor Show 20
Father obliterates council members following viral TikTok of biological male masturbating in women’s bathroom..
SONATE AU CLAIR DE LUNE - Moonlight sonata
Tsai Ing-wen received a "warm welcome" from the Chinese people in the US.
A kiss to build a dream on
EU's von der Leyen: "We know this is an era where we rely on one single supplier. China. 98% of our rare earth supply."
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
China and Brazil have signed a new deal that will allow them to trade in their own currencies, bypassing the US dollar as an intermediary
Mean Blues
Elon Musk and Others Call for Pause on A.I., Citing ‘Profound Risks to Society’
La Chansonnette
Nashville style execution
Pattaya Addicts
“We've had evidence prior to the pandemic that masks were largely ineffective at preventing community transmission of influenza “
Franz Liszt - Liebestraum - Love Dream
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz:
Dream a little dream of me
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz rejects being labeled a "billionaire"
Unchained Melody sung like you've NEVER heard!
Jamie Dimon is being deposed over JPMorgan Chase role in Epstein lawsuits
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
This is how an electric car saves all the energy that he would have spent if he had lived 50 years longer.
Édith Piaf - Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (Sofie)
Brand new security footage has just been released to the public showing the Active shooter Audrey Elizabeth Hale drove to Covenant Church School in her Honda Fit this morning, parked, and shot her way into the building
Rondo Alla Turca
Social Media censoring users for saying the true
Kiss of fire
Smart Iranian fashion designer teaching dummy TV anchors lesson about reality
Tom Jones - I´ll Never Fall In Love Again 1967, 1989, 2001
AMERICA, 2023
Israel Cachao López - Guajira Clásica
U.S. charges FTX's Bankman-Fried with paying $40 million bribe
Edward Maya - Stereo Love (feat. Vika Jigulina) (Extended Mix)
Fallen 'Crypto King' Who Owes Millions to Investors Was Kidnapped and Tortured
Strauss - Radetzky March - Karajan
Regulators blame social media for SVB's rapid collapse: 'Complete game changer'
La vie en rose
AOC explains why she opposes banning TikTok
The Temptations - My Girl (Smokey Robinson Tribute) 2006 Kennedy Cent
UK: Humza Yousaf replaces Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and first minister in Scotland
Orlando Cachaito Lopez Redencion
In a dramatic U-turn against His Government: Judicial Reform Legislation Must Be Halted, Says Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
Edith Piaf - NON, JE NE REGRETTE RIEN
Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel Corporation, died at 94
RADETZKY MARCH-2008-Wien, New Year Concert
Powell: Silicon Valley Bank was an 'outlier'
Only you (And you alone)
Bordeaux town hall set on fire in France pro democracy protest
Strangers In The Night
Police violence in Paris
Charles Aznavour - La Boheme
Paris: Some of the police are stepping down and showing solidarity with the protesters.
Summer time
Donald Trump arrested – Twitter goes wild with doctored pictures
Sting and Stevie Wonder - Fragile (from Sting's 60th birthday concert)
NYPD is setting up barricades outside Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of Trump arrest.
Aux Champs Elysees
Credit Suisse's Scandalous History Resulted in an Obvious Collapse - It's time for regulators who fail to do their job to be held accountable and serve as an example by being behind bars.
Stand By Me - Ben E. King (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Home Secretary Suella Braverman tours potential migrant housing in Rwanda as asylum deal remains mired in legal challenges
La Mer (Beyond the Sea) – Avalon Jazz Band
Goldman Sachs cuts outlook for European bank debt over Credit Suisse crisis
She
Paris Rioting vs Macron anti democratic law
Nathalie Song by Enzo Petrachi Stjepan Hauser Cello
'Sexual Fantasy' Assignment At US School Outrages Parents
Shape of My Heart - Sting (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Orbán Viktor: the restructuring of the power relations in the whole of Europe is taking place
Radiohead - Creep
Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank
Quizás,Quizás,Quizás - Andrea Bocelli - Jennifer Lopez
The BBC problem about China
Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Multi-Couples
Strikes-Hit UK Pledges 94 Billion Euros In Cost-Of-Living Budget
Pentatonix Havana
Russian Hackers Preparing New Cyber Assault Against Ukraine
Paula Cole - Autumn Leaves
"Will Fly Wherever International Law Allows": US Warns Russia After Drone Incident
Oscar Benton Bensonhurst Blues
UK face biggest fall in spending power for 70 years
OH NANANA vs ABUSADAMENTE
Jeremy Hunt insists his Budget will get young parents and over-50s back into work
Nina Simone - ”I Put A Spell On You”. Vezi aici cum cântă Jeremy Ragsd
If this was in Tehran, Moscow or Hong Kong
NIGHTWISH - The Phantom Of The Opera
Announcing GPT-4
Motorshow 2016 Tanjay Negros Oriental
TRUMP: "Standing before you today, I am the only candidate who can make this promise: I will prevent World War III."
Monica Bellucci - Ti Amo
Drew Barrymore
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Milena The Voice France 2018
China is calling out the US, UK, and Australia on their submarine pact, claiming they are going further down a dangerous road
Michael Buble (Help Me Make It Through The Night) feat Loren Allred
Memories Canon In D - Maroon 5 (Boyce Avenue piano acoustic cover)
Matteo Simoni - Marina
Maroon 5 - One More Night
Maroon 5 - Memories
Mark Knopfler - Brothers In Arms (Berlin 2007 Live)
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Romeo And Juliet (Real Live Roadrunni
Marina, Marina - The LUCKY DUCKIES intimist live concert at Guimarães
Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On Mauranne The Voice France 2016
Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet - Joslin - Henri Mancini, Nino Rota
LoLa & Hauser - Love Story
Linkin Park Jay-Z - Numb Encore (Live 8 2005)
Hallelujah Mennel Ibtissem, The Voice France Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen - Dance Me to the End of Love
Leonard Cohen & Natasha Rostova - Dance me to the end of love
La casa de papel - Bella Ciao
La Camisa Negra
L'italiano (Toto Cutugno) - The Gypsy Queens
Juanes - La Camisa Negra
Jonathan and Charlotte - Britain's Got Talent 2012 Live Semi Final - U
John Powell - Assassin's Tango
Joe Cocker - You Can Leave Your Hat On (LIVE in Dortmund)
Joe Cocker - Unchain My Heart 2002 Live
Joe Cocker - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Jay Z & Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind LIVE
Jason Mraz - Im Yours (live)
Jarrod Radnich - Bohemian Rhapsody - Virtuosic Piano Solo
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
James Blunt - You're Beautiful & Bonfire Heart (Live at The Nobel Peac)
If You Go Away - Helen Merrill & Stan Getz (Tribute to Virna Lisi)
I'LL BE MISSING YOU
I Say a Little Prayer
Hotel California ( Eagles ) 1994 Live
Historia de un amor - Luz Casal. Vezi interpretarea Biancăi Sumanariu
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover) on Spot
Heart - Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin - Kennedy Center Honors
HAVANA by Camila Cabello Zumba Pre Cooldown TML Crew Kramer Pastra
HAUSER and Señorita - I Will Always Love You
HAUSER - Waka Waka
HAUSER - Sway
HAUSER - Lambada
HAUSER - Historia de un Amor
HAUSER - Despacito
Great Pretender
Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice Samba to 'Volare' - Strictly Come
Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues
GIPSY KINGS VOLARE Penelope Cruz
Fugees - Killing Me Softly With His Song
French Latino - Historia de un Amor
For A Few Dollars More The Danish National Symphony Orchestra (Live)
Flashdance • What a Feeling • Irene Cara
Filip Rudan - “Someone You Loved” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sez
Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight
Enya - Only Time
Enrique Iglesias - Bailando (English Version) ft. Sean Paul
Enrique Iglesias - Bailamos
Elena Yerevan Historia de un amor
Ed Sheeran - Shape of You (Official Music Video)
Ed Sheeran - Perfect Symphony [with Andrea Bocelli]
Ed Sheeran - Perfect (Official Music Video)
Easy On Me - Adele (Boyce Avenue 90’s style piano acoustic cover) on S
ERA - Ameno
ELENA YEREVAN- Cancion Del Mariachi-IN STUDIO-2017 DPR
Dust In The Wind - Kansas (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Despacito x Shape Of You - Pentatonix
Deep Purple - Child In Time - Live (1970)
David Foster When A Man Loves A WomanIt's A Mans World (SealMichael Bo
Dance me to the end of Love ( Pi-Air Design )
Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise (feat. L.V.) [Official Music Video]
Conquest Of Paradise (Vangelis), played on Böhm Emporio organ
Cielito Lindo
Chico & The Gypsies - Bamboleo
Canción Del Mariachi - Antonio Banderas, Los Lobos • Desperado
Camila Cabello - Havana (Audio) ft. Young Thug
Camila Cabello - Havana ( cover by J.Fla )
California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas José Feliciano (Boyce Ave
Buster Benton - Money Is The Name of The Game
Hallelujah Pentatonix
Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy (Official Music Video)
Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door Emilia The Voice Kids France
Besame Mucho - Cesaria Evora
Ben E. King - Stand by Me Sax Cover Alexandra Ilieva Thomann
Bella Ciao
Bella Ciao - INSTRUMENTAL
Beautiful in White x Canon in D (Piano Cover by Riyandi Kusuma)
Bad Romance - Vintage 1920's Gatsby Style Lady Gaga Cover ft. Ariana Savalas & Sarah Reich(1)
BELLA CIAO 2020 - KARAOKE ITALIANO
BAMBOLEO - Gipsy Kings • Antonio Banderas, Katya Virshilas
BAILANDO (original)
Awesome Ukrainian yodeler - SOFIA SHKIDCHENKO (with English subtitles)
Avicii - The Nights
Atom - The Great Gig in the Sky
Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Official Ly
Antonio Banderas - Cancion del Mariachi (Desperado)
André Rieu - Zorba's Dance (Sirtaki)
André Rieu - Can't Help Falling In Love
André Rieu & Mirusia - Ave Maria
Andrew Reyes Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down The Voice 2020 (
Andreas Kümmert Whiter Shade Of Pale The Voice of Germany 2013 Showd
And I Love You So
All About That Bass - Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
Alan Walker - Faded (Piano Cover)
Ain't No Sunshine -- Bill Withers (cover by Canen 12 y.o.)
African music
Adriana Vidović - “Creep” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
Adriana Vidović - “Believer” Nokaut 3 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
A Fistful of Dollars - The Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Tuva
4 Beautiful Soundtracks Relaxing Piano [10min]
2CELLOS - Whole Lotta Love vs. Beethoven 5th Symphony [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
2CELLOS - Smooth Criminal (Live at Suntory Hall, Tokyo)
2CELLOS - Smells Like Teen Spirit [Live at Sydney Opera House]
2CELLOS - Despacito [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
13 Year Old Girl Playing Il Silenzio (The Silence) - André Rieu
094.All About That Bass
00 - SADNESS PART 1
(Ghost) Riders In the Sky (American Outlaws Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams (Boyce Avenue ft. Conn
What a wonderful world
Moon river
×