Lunar New Year paralyzes China
- February 9, 2024
- 0
Some 12.45 million Chinese Yesterday they took the train, and there will be another 8.3 million today, with a density of stations that has not been seen for
Some 12.45 million Chinese Yesterday they took the train, and there will be another 8.3 million today, with a density of stations that has not been seen for a long time. And in the 5G era, social media is filled with images of the great “Chunjie” migration, “spring party”which brings together families from the four cardinal directions of the continental country.
High speed trains galore
According to railway authorities, 1.8 billion tickets have already been sold. “Train tickets are so popular that many people prefer to drive home,” the company euphemistically states. Chinese News Agency.
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. | Photo: Reuters.
Everything that has wheels is mobilized: from an army of motorcyclists in the south to cohorts of new Chinese electric cars, not forgetting the races of suitcases on wheels at the docks and heavy vehicles in the north.
The truck driver reportedly drove his tanker 800 km to visit his elderly parents. One student chose a bicycle without hesitation and rode through two provinces to get to his family.
Chinese media are taking the opportunity to highlight the progress made in the infrastructure sector. The country shrank with the advent of high-speed trains.
Veterans remember that until 2011, the road from Beijing to Shanghai took more than 22 hours; Today the same journey takes only 4.5 hours. By 2025, China plans to expand its railway network to 165 thousand km, including 50 thousand km of high-speed lines.
Nine million trips
Instant noodles are a thing of the past, or at least they are no longer the only snack eaten on trains. On some lines you can use an app to serve food at stops. And if the restaurant ever runs out of seats for New Year’s Eve dinner, don’t panic! Keywords “heat and eat” or “instant” rank high in search engines, and rich and varied holiday menus are available to order directly from online platforms.
The Lunar New Year holiday will last until February 16, but cities began to empty last month. “20% of Pekingese have left. In an economic downturn, what’s the point of staying if there’s less work?” the driver of a rented car who was trusted fifteen days ago, a state media journalist told X.
Among those who remain, nannies work especially hard. As a result of urban gentrification, the number of dogs and cats in the city has increased dramatically. The dog sitter says her schedule has been full for two months. During the holidays, factories and enterprises rest. The country is practically paralyzed. A time of fellowship in the hope that the Year of the Dragon will bring happiness and prosperity to everyone.
China is expected to see a record nine million trips over the 40 days of the annual Lunar New Year, according to the Ministry of Transport.
(RFI)
Source: Aristegui Noticias
As an experienced journalist and author, Mary has been reporting on the latest news and trends for over 5 years. With a passion for uncovering the stories behind the headlines, Mary has earned a reputation as a trusted voice in the world of journalism. Her writing style is insightful, engaging and thought-provoking, as she takes a deep dive into the most pressing issues of our time.
