10 big things about China you should not miss (Dec. 28 -- Jan. 3)
1. Xi underlines confidence, hard work in 2025 to rise above challenges
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for the nation to remain confident in the coming year, saying the world's second largest economy can overcome its challenges and pressure through hard work.
Xi made the remarks in his New Year message for 2025 delivered through China Media Group and the internet.
Set to fully complete its 14th Five-Year Plan in 2025, China will implement more proactive and effective policies, prioritize high-quality development, promote greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and maintain sound momentum in economic and social development, Xi said.
2. New Year's Day celebrated across China
A joint celebration activity across Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province was held for the first time to welcome the year of 2025 on Tuesday.
3. 2025 Spring Festival travel rush to begin on January 14, train tickets available from Dec 31
Train tickets for the first day of the Spring Festival travel rush, which will start on January 14, 2025, are on sale from December 31, 2024.
China State Railway Group said Tuesday that the national railway network is expected to handle 510 million passenger trips during the 2025 Spring Festival travel rush, reflecting steady growth in demand.
4. China unveils prototypes of world's fastest high-speed train
Prototypes of the CR450 bullet train, with a test speed of up to 450 kilometers per hour and an operational speed of 400 kilometers per hour, were debuted in Beijing on Sunday.
The new prototypes are two CR450 models: the CR450AF and the CR450BF, both featuring an eight-car formation with four powered and four non-powered carriages.
5. China's first progress report highlights scientific research and applications enabled by its space station
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Monday released its first-ever progress report, providing a comprehensive summary of the scientific research and applications conducted on China's space station over the past two years.
Over the past two years, China has successfully conducted four manned flights, three cargo resupply missions, and four spacecraft return missions. During this period, five taikonauts carried out 15 long-term stays in orbit, with 10 taikonauts performing extravehicular activities.
Numerous extravehicular maintenance missions were completed, setting a new world record for the duration of a single spacewalk.
Additionally, the selection of the fourth batch of reserve taikonauts was completed, including two payload specialists from Hong Kong and Macao, according to the report.
6. Snake-themed artifacts at Sanxingdui Museum attract visitors as Year of Snake approaches
As the Year of the Snake approaches, snake-themed artifacts displayed at the Sanxingdui Museum in southwest China’s Sichuan are capturing the attention of visitors.
The eyes and eyebrows of Si Shengsheng, the 2025 Spring Festival Gala mascot, drew inspiration from a 3,000-year-old bronze snake unearthed at the Sanxingdui site.
7. China's first homegrown cruise ship Adora Magic City carries 600,000 inbound, outbound trips since entering commercial operation
China's first domestically built large cruise ship, Adora Magic City, has completed 84 journeys, and served over 300 thousand passengers as of Sunday. Data from Shanghai Customs revealed it has carried 600,000 inbound/outbound trips since entering commercial operation at the beginning of 2024, accounting for 40 percent of the country's international cruise market.
8. First natural observation event in SW China's Medog records over 1,000 species
The first natural observation event held in Medog, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, recorded 1,066 species in total, including 214 bird species, 746 plant species, 15 beast species, 8 amphibious reptile species, and 83 insect species, fully demonstrating the biodiversity of this magical land.
9. China's first energy law comes into force to promote green development
China's first energy law officially came into force on Wednesday. Officials and experts highlighted that as the world's largest energy producer and consumer, China has closed a key legislative gap with this comprehensive law, which helps ensure national energy security and serves as a cornerstone for promoting a green and low-carbon transition.
10. Xinjiang completes world's longest expressway tunnel
The 22.13-km Tianshan Shengli tunnel, located in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region was fully drilled through on Monday after 52 months of construction.
As a crucial section of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, the tunnel will traverse the Tianshan Mountains, which divide the vast Xinjiang into two regions, and create a direct route to southern Xinjiang.
Designed for a speed of 100 kilometers per hour, the tunnel has four lanes in both directions. Upon completion, it will shorten the travel time for crossing the Tianshan Mountains from three hours via National Highway 216 to just 20 minutes.
