South Korean Travelers Flock to China Following Visa-Free Policy

According to South Korea’s SBS TV, China’s visa-free policy for South Korean citizens has sparked a surge in weekend travel demand, particularly among young professionals. With the shortest flights taking just over an hour, many South Koreans are opting for quick travels through China after finishing work on Fridays, now free from the complexities and costs of obtaining a visa

The visa-free policy, effective from November 8, 2024, to December 31, 2025, applies to nine countries: Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and the Republic of Korea. It allows citizens from these nations to visit China for tourism, business, family visits, or transit without a visa, offering them the opportunity to experience foreign cultures without disrupting their work routines.

A South Korean travel agency reported a 75% surge in bookings for trips to China from November 1 to 21 compared to previous periods, with tours to Shanghai seeing a remarkable 178% spike. Shanghai remains the top choice for many South Korean travelers due to its cosmopolitan appeal, international atmosphere, and travel convenience.

Beyond Shanghai, other destinations like Chongqing and Zhangjiajie are also gaining traction among South Korean tourists. Chongqing’s famed hotpot and Zhangjiajie’s breathtaking natural scenery are enticing travelers eager to immerse themselves in China’s rich culture and diverse landscapes.

China’s Auto Market Faces Price Wars as Nissan Struggles and Volkswagen Considers Restructuring

Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), reported significant price cuts across various vehicle segments from January to November 2024:

• Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs): Average prices dropped by 15,000 RMB, representing an 8.5% decline.
• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): The average price reduction reached 20,000 RMB, a 10% decrease.
• Range-Extended Hybrid Vehicles: Prices fell by 15,800 RMB, down 6.1% on average.
• Conventional Hybrid Vehicles: The average price cut stood at 10,500 RMB, reflecting a 4.3% drop.
• Traditional Fuel Vehicles: Prices saw an average reduction of 13,400 RMB, equating to a 7.3% decline.

On December 7, Nissan Motor Corporation released its November 2024 performance in the Chinese market. Dongfeng Nissan, which includes the Nissan, Venucia, and Infiniti brands, reported sales of 59,512 units, while Zhengzhou Nissan recorded 4,033 units. Despite modest growth in select models, Nissan’s overall sales continued to trend downward.

According to a report by the German business weekly Wirtschaftswoche on December 7， Germany’s Volkswagen Group is reportedly planning to sell its plant in Nanjing, located northwest of Shanghai.

As competition in China’s automotive market intensifies, industry players are facing mounting pressures. What lies ahead in 2025? We will continue to monitor developments closely.

UNESCO Recognizes China’s Spring Festival as Intangible Cultural Heritage, Highlighting China’s Cultural Legacy

On December 4, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially inscribed the Spring Festival, a cornerstone of Chinese culture celebrating the traditional new year, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Paraguay from December 2 to 7.

The inclusion of the Spring Festival underscores the festival’s profound cultural significance and its role in connecting generations. It also highlights China’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting its cultural heritage on a global stage.

According to UNESCO’s documentation, the traditional knowledge and customs associated with the Spring Festival are passed down informally within families and communities, as well as formally through the education system. Craftsmanship and artistic skills associated with the festival, such as traditional decorations, cooking, and performances. The festival fosters values of family unity, social harmony, and peace while providing a strong sense of cultural identity. It is also recognized for promoting harmony between humans and nature and contributing to sustainable development, particularly in areas like food security, education, and environmental awareness.

This recognition further solidifies China’s status as a leader in cultural heritage preservation. Beyond the Spring Festival, China is home to an extensive range of UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage elements across performing arts, festivals, craftsmanship, and traditional practices, reflecting its rich and diverse culture:

Traditional Performing Arts and Music

1. Kunqu Opera
2. Peking Opera
3. Nanyin (Southern Music)
4. Guqin and its music (Ancient zither music)
5. Xi’an Wind and Percussion Ensemble
6. Hua’er (folk song tradition)
7. Cantonese Opera
8. Long Song (Mongolian nomadic singing)

Festivals, Customs, and Rituals

1. Chinese Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival)
2. Mid-Autumn Festival
3. Qiang New Year Festival
4. Shehuo Festival (Traditional rural performances)
5. Yueju (Lantern Festival customs)

Traditional Knowledge and Practices

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture
2. Chinese calligraphy
3. Chinese paper-cutting
4. Seal engraving (Chinese art of seals)
5. Traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices
6. Silk weaving of brocade in Nanjing
7. Li textile techniques (spinning, dyeing, and weaving)

Craftsmanship and Artisanal Skills

1. Chinese shadow puppetry
2. Woodblock printing of Chinese books
3. Yue Kiln Longquan celadon porcelain
4. Tibetan Thangka painting
5. Traditional firing techniques of Jianzhong Kiln porcelain
6. Miao ethnic batik (wax printing)
7. Chinese Zhusuan (the abacus and its associated knowledge)

Performances and Storytelling

1. Epic of King Gesar (Tibetan heroic epic)
2. Traditional storytelling (Shuoshu)
3. Shadow play performances

Martial Arts and Physical Practices

1. Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
2. Chinese traditional archery
3. Lianhua Luoshu (martial and ritual dance)

Culinary Traditions

1. Traditional Chinese cuisine techniques (e.g., hand-pulled noodles)

#Travel China #Cultural Heritage Tour #Unesco

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Black Myth: Wukong Makes History as China’s First AAA Game, Earns Global Acclaim and Criticism

In TIME magazine’s recently released Top 10 Best Games of 2024, Black Myth: Wukong claimed the seventh spot.

TIME lauded the game as a historic milestone, marking the debut of China’s video game industry on the global stage with its first AAA title. The publication praised the game’s outstanding artistic design, calling it “undoubtedly the best of the year,” and spotlighted its stunningly detailed environments, including lush forests, ancient temples, and majestic mountains.

The game’s ambitious and daring interpretation of mythology drew comparisons to the iconic God of War series, captivating players with its sense of grandeur and, at times, even fear. However, TIME also criticized the game’s extreme difficulty, describing it as “so excruciatingly challenging that it eventually stops being fun.”

Black Myth: Wukong stands as both a bold artistic achievement and a symbol of China’s growing influence in the global gaming market.

Top 10 Chinese Buzzwords of 2024 Released by Yaowen Jiaozi

On December 2, Yaowen Jiaozi, a prominent language and literature magazine based in Shanghai, unveiled the top 10 Chinese buzzwords for 2024. These buzzwords reflect key trends in technology, culture, and society over the past year:

1. Digital Intelligence (数智化) Combining digitalization and intelligence, this term refers to enhancing productivity and innovation by integrating advanced technologies like autonomous learning, decision optimization, and predictive analytics into digitized processes.
2. AI-for-Good (智能向善) Emphasizing the ethical use of AI, this concept highlights AI’s role in improving human welfare, driving industrial transformation, and achieving sustainable development. China’s vision of “human-centeredness” and “intelligence for good” underpins its approach to AI development and governance.
3. Future Industries (未来产业) This term describes forward-looking industries powered by cutting-edge technologies, including fields like future manufacturing, future materials, future space, and future health. These industries aim to be strategic, leading, and disruptive.
4. “City or Not City” (city不city) Popularized by US vlogger Bao Bao Xiong, this travel meme meaning “city or not city” went viral on platforms like Bilibili and Sina Weibo. It symbolizes China’s growing appeal to international travelers, partly fueled by its expanded visa-free policies.
5. Hard Control (硬控) Originating from online gaming, where players lose control of their characters, “hard control” now refers to anything so captivating or entertaining that it becomes impossible to stop watching or engaging with.
6. Radiantly/Fresh and Lively (水灵灵地) Commonly used to describe someone or something vibrant and full of life—like spirited people or lush plants—this phrase has also evolved into humorous self-deprecating commentary.
7. Smell of Toil (班味) Reflecting the realities of modern youth, this term conveys psychological and emotional exhaustion caused by work stress, societal pressures, and the struggles of balancing life and career.
8. Chill/Go with the Flow (松弛感) Representing a calm and well-adjusted mental state, “松弛感” describes one’s ability to handle stress without anxiety, staying composed and self-caring, which was one of the hottest buzzword during the Paris Olympics.
9. Elderly Power (银发力量) Highlighting the growing influence of older generations, this term acknowledges their active roles and contributions across economic, cultural, and social spheres.
10. Kid Bro/Kid Sis (小孩哥/小孩姐) This phrase refers to children who display exceptional talents or skills beyond their years, impressing adults with their extraordinary abilities.

These buzzwords not only reflect emerging linguistic trends but also capture societal shifts, technological advancements, and cultural phenomena shaping contemporary China.

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