Harbin river ice cutters feel the heat as warm autumn affects their bottom line

Harbin river ice cutters feel the heat as warm autumn affects their bottom line

Gruff men shout over an angry motor as they float huge blocks of ice towards a rusty conveyor belt on the bank of a frozen river in northeast China. Every winter, dozens of workers brave sub-zero temperatures to hack ice from the mighty Songhua River and deliver it around Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province. … Read more

Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou visits Harbin aiming to ‘build bridge of peace’

Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou visits Harbin aiming to ‘build bridge of peace’

Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou has begun a nine-day trip to mainland China – his third in two years – amid accusations from pro-independence voices that he is compromising the self-ruled island’s interests. Ma’s delegation, which includes a group of Taiwanese university students, was greeted by municipal officials and well-wishers at the airport when they … Read more

Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou plans third visit to mainland China in 2 years

Former Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou plans third visit to mainland China in 2 years

Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou will visit mainland China later this month, his third visit in the past two years, in another push to promote people-to-people exchanges amid elevated cross-strait tensions. Ma will lead a delegation of Taiwanese youth to visit the cities of Harbin in the northeast and Chengdu in the southwest on a … Read more

China confronts false accusations that plague Communist Party’s anti-corruption crusade

China confronts false accusations that plague Communist Party’s anti-corruption crusade

However, more than a decade later, the party has come to realise many have exploited this to make false accusations against officials. At a major party conclave in July, Xi and other top officials pledged to “take stronger steps to handle false accusations”. Observers say unfounded claims about corruption waste resources, undermine careers, dampen morale … Read more

Visitors to China’s tourist spots spike during Lunar New Year as country aims to revive post-Covid travel sector

Visitors to China’s tourist spots spike during Lunar New Year as country aims to revive post-Covid travel sector

Mainland China’s tourist attractions reported a major spike in visitors during this year’s eight-day Lunar New Year holiday as the country aims to revive its post-pandemic travel sector. The tropical island province of Hainan has seen a huge increase in passenger traffic, with overall year-on-year growth of more than 30 per cent during the holiday, … Read more

Record number of travelers visit city this winter

Record number of travelers visit city this winter

For many Chinese, Harbin conjures images of ice and steel, a city both cold and tough. But this winter, the heavily industrialized city morphed into a warmly welcoming host, drawing in a record-breaking number of visitors, mainly from China’s south. During the three-day New Year period from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1, Harbin received more … Read more

Winter tourism boom in China boosts flagging economy in the north as Xinjiang region and Heilongjiang province pull in domestic visitors

Winter tourism boom in China boosts flagging economy in the north as Xinjiang region and Heilongjiang province pull in domestic visitors

It is the first time since late 2019, and the arrival of Covid-19, that many Chinese tourists have enjoyed their winter holidays without worrying about lockdowns and infections. A woman wearing a swimsuit skis during the Naked Pig Skiing Carnival at the Yabuli Ski Resort in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, northeast China. Photo: Getty Images Data … Read more

Opinion | To attract tourists again, Hong Kong must look to Harbin, China’s ice capital, for lessons. But could we ever offer that city’s warmth?

Opinion | To attract tourists again, Hong Kong must look to Harbin, China’s ice capital, for lessons. But could we ever offer that city’s warmth?

In response to the post-Covid era and the sluggish global economy, the government launched various campaigns to promote the city’s diverse attractions, cultural heritage, nature, arts scene and culinary landscape. Hong Kong’s Temple Street night market bustles with people on December 18, 2023. Photo: Elson LI Additionally, shopping and entertainment were emphasised to capitalise on … Read more