Entry, exit trips

BORDER inspection agencies across China saw 670 million entry and exit trips in 2019, an increase of 3.8 percent from the previous year, figures from the National Immigration Administration have shown.

The number of trips to and out of China made by foreigners surpassed 97 million and mainland residents made 350 million exits and entries across the border, the figures showed.

Residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan made about 160 million, 53.6 million and 12.3 million trips to the mainland, respectively.

A total of 89 border inspection channels of the Belt and Road were established in 18 port cities including Beijing and Shanghai in 2019, which facilitated 290,000 trips.

Heavy snow alert

THE national observatory yesterday issued a yellow alert for heavy snow in the country’s northern and western regions.

From yesterday evening to tonight, heavy snow is expected to hit parts of Heilongjiang, Shaanxi, Henan, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong and Tibet, according to the National Meteorological Center.

The center suggested local authorities take precautions to keep roads and railways, as well as electricity and telecommunications infrastructure safe, and advised residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow and blue.