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China's Q1 Economy Grows 5%, Cross-Border Travel Active
China's Q1 Economic Growth and Outlook
China's National Bureau of Statistics announced that the national economy grew by 5% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, accelerating by 0.2 percentage points compared to the fourth quarter of last year. An official from the National Bureau of Statistics stated that the national economy achieved a "good start" but emphasized the need to further consolidate the "positive foundation" of the economy, given the complex external environment and prominent domestic supply-demand imbalances. The official also noted that the government would continue to implement proactive macroeconomic policies and focus on expanding domestic demand and optimizing supply.
China-Vietnam Youth Exchange and Friendship Promotion
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and youth representatives from both countries in Beijing on Wednesday. President Xi Jinping encouraged the Chinese and Vietnamese youth to be "inheritors and successors of generations of friendship" between the two nations, emphasizing that their joint endeavors would continue to flourish. This initiative aims to strengthen cultural exchanges and foster positive future relations between the two countries.
Hong Kong Discusses Ride-Hailing License Quotas
Hong Kong's Legislative Council passed the framework for regulating ride-hailing vehicles last year, with the government expecting to issue the first batch of licenses in the fourth quarter of this year. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan discussed the quota for licenses at a Legislative Council special committee meeting. She emphasized that while the government would consider the experience of other international cities regarding ride-hailing quotas, it must also take into account Hong Kong's unique characteristics. She specifically mentioned that Hong Kong has a high public transport utilization rate of 90% and distinct road system capacity, necessitating a cautious approach to license issuance.
*Source: YouTube: RTHK (2026-04-16)*
