As the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday winds down, newly released data reveals a clear picture of the Chinese mainland's economic momentum. Official figures from Xinhua show record-breaking passenger travel and consumer spending, highlighting the world’s second-largest economy and a surge in domestic demand.
During the holiday, the Ministry of Transport reported about 2.36 billion passenger trips nationwide—an average of 295 million per day, up 3.2% from last year. Railways handled a single-day high of 23.13 million passengers on October 1, while civil aviation carried 19.2 million travelers, marking a 3.6% year-on-year increase.
These feats weren’t by chance. Integrated air, rail, and road networks in the Chinese mainland operated with precision to meet peak demand. From extra trains on key routes to optimized flight schedules and real-time digital ticketing, coordination among ministries, local authorities, and tech platforms kept travelers moving smoothly—even at rush hour.
Behind the scenes, decades of investment in connectivity paid off. The seamless movement of millions of people reflects institutional strength and public confidence in public infrastructure at a scale few countries can match.
On the consumption front, retail stores and restaurants thrived on a wave of tourists and policy incentives. Xinhua described the 2025 Golden Week as a period of "unprecedented people flows and consumption nationwide," signaling rising optimism among households and a healthy rebound in spending.
From record-breaking train rides to bustling shopping districts, the Chinese mainland’s Golden Week highlights how mobility and consumption can serve as barometers of economic health. As businesses and travelers look ahead, this momentum could pave the way for sustained growth driven by domestic vitality.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
