

A | (ECNS) -- The global popularity of “China travel” is igniting a retail frenzy, with Shanghai recording a near three-fold increase in departure tax refund applications in the first half of 2026, CCTV News reported. International tourists spent 2.3 billion yuan (about $340 million) on tax-free shopping, fueled by a 22% year-on-year rise in Shanghai port foreign arrivals to 3.166 million. Traditional Chinese silk and cultural souvenirs are proving highly popular. Streamlined payments and instant refunds via mobile apps like Alipay and WeChat, as well as international credit cards, have further stimulated spending. In July, inbound tourist transactions using Alipay surged 72.9% year on year. Meanwhile, ports in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, are seeing historic traffic. The Liantang checkpoint surpassed 20 million passenger crossings this year, achieving the milestone 30 days ahead of schedule. Boosted by China’s expanding visa-free policies, family travel is booming, with foreign entries through Shenzhen’s airport rising 24.5%. Tourists are exploring historic sites like Nantou Ancient City, turning the tourism influx into a major boost for local businesses. (By Intern Lin Qiaochu, Zhang Dongfang)
。 MOSCOW -- Russia named a replacement for the former head of the country's Aerospace Forces, who was dismissed in the wake of this summer's brief rebellion against the military establishment, state news agencies reported Friday.The Tass and RIA-Novosti agencies both cited a source as saying Col. Gen. Viktor Afzalov, who reportedly had been acting head of the air force since mid-August, was given the full post. He replaces Gen. Sergei Surovikin.There was no official confirmation of the report, but state agencies frequently represent official positions through reports citing anonymous officials in Russia’s defense and security establishment.Surovikin was believed to have had close ties with Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, who mounted a rebellion in June seeking the dismissal of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and military chief of staff Valery Gerasimov. Prigozhin accused both of undermining Wagner forces who were key fighters in eastern Ukraine. After the uprising disintegrated, Surovikin was not seen in public for months. Reports of his dismissal came one day before Prigozhin and several top lieutenants died in a private plane crash widely regarded as suspicious.Surovikin had commanded Russia's forces in Ukraine from October 2022 until January, when he was replaced in that role by Gerasimov.。
Current article:http://hbve5h.xiadiaosengchengcun.shop/list_yk14s36/1xy.html
Published on:08:55:22
栏目相关
热门排行