Air India flight makes emergency landing in Thailand's Phuket
Local media reported that Flight AI 379 has later safely landed and the airport has responded with a related plan.
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Malaysia Sun
a day ago
- Malaysia Sun
Hong Kong marks 28th anniversary of return to motherland in unity, joy
Festivities unfolded across all 18 districts, featuring hundreds of vibrant celebrations that attracted both locals and tourists, immersing themselves in the lively spirit of the Pearl of the Orient. HONG KONG, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong was filled with a festive and harmonious atmosphere on Tuesday on the 28th anniversary of its return to the motherland. Throughout the streets, the national flag of the People's Republic of China and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) fluttered. Festivities unfolded across all 18 districts, featuring hundreds of vibrant celebrations that attracted both locals and tourists, immersing themselves in the lively spirit of the Pearl of the Orient. At 8 a.m., the HKSAR government held a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, followed by a reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, gathering dignitaries from various sectors. "As long as we are determined to fully seize the opportunities, keep enhancing our value and competitiveness, undertake reforms for progress and foster innovation, I am confident the wisdom and experience of the people of Hong Kong will help our Pearl of the Orient shine brighter than ever on the world stage," HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said when addressing the reception. Earlier that morning, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, the Office for Safeguarding National Security, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army also held flag-raising ceremonies. Educational institutions across Hong Kong, including the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), also held flag-raising ceremonies. EdUHK's president believed that "the flag-raising ceremony is the best lesson in patriotism." As the sun rose, Hong Kong's iconic Victoria Harbour buzzed with celebrations. The waterfront promenade was bustling with visitors, many waving national and SAR flags in the refreshing sea breeze, creating waves of red. A three-day event at Victoria Park featured a popular Panda-themed exhibition, showcasing a two-meter-tall panda sculpture surrounded by 100 smaller ones, drawing visitors eager to capture the moment. Mr. Cheng, a local resident in his seventies, snapped dozens of photos, expressing his fondness for pandas. "I came specifically to take pictures. Later, I plan to hop on the free tram to Central, where the celebrations will continue," he told Xinhua. In addition to parades and variety shows, the HKSAR government and local businesses offered special promotions across transportation, culture, and dining, allowing people to celebrate the anniversary together. Free tram rides, free Star Ferry rides, and MTR lottery electronic tickets were also available. Throughout the day, numerous recreational and cultural businesses provided free or discounted activities. Shopping malls and stores offered free ice cream, popcorn, and panda balloons. Over 4,100 restaurants provided discounts, more than in previous years. By 10:30 a.m., people were already queuing at the piers for the Star Ferry. Chiang, waiting with her child, told Xinhua, "I brought my child to see the flag-raising. Watching the helicopter fly by with national and SAR flags makes me emotional." She hoped her daughter would cherish her love for the motherland, wherever she lives. Across Hong Kong, various groups shared their blessings for the motherland and Hong Kong. A flotilla of 28 fishing boats, displaying national and SAR flags, cruised through Victoria Harbour, attracting crowds eager to watch and photograph the event. At the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, a flash mob performing patriotic songs drew many listeners and inspired a spontaneous sing-along. A horse race at Sha Tin Racecourse amplified the festive atmosphere, drawing about 24,500 spectators. Some hailed the event as a celebration of Hong Kong's unique charm and vitality. Lyu Wenxin from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology said that she would work for Hong Kong's prosperity.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
"Sea of Death" becomes land of wonder
This photo taken on Sept. 7, 2023 shows the scenery of a desert scenic spot in Makit County of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Li An) URUMQI (July 2): Hop aboard, grip the handrail, press the gas, and it's time for an exhilarating adventure across the vast, rolling sand dunes on a four-wheeled quad bike. This thrilling experience is just one of many adventures visitors can enjoy at the N39 scenic area in Makit County of Xinjiang's Kashgar Prefecture. Located on the southwestern edge of the Taklimakan, China's largest and the world's second-largest drifting desert — often referred to as the 'Sea of Death' — this once-remote and seldom-visited wilderness has become a captivating destination. 'The ride was so much fun and so intense, we enjoyed it a lot,' said Li Wei, who brought her 18-year-old son for a post-graduation trip from Wuhu in east China's Anhui Province, a city some 4,000 km from Kashgar. 'Playing in the desert should be a great way for the kid to relax after the college entrance exam,' she added. Launched in 2016, the tourist site is attracting a growing number of visitors. The annual tourist visits have reached 500,000, with a consistent year-on-year growth rate of 7 to 15 percent, according to Dong Mingjiang, general manager of the tourism development company of the scenic area. 'Many of our visitors come from afar, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong, and we have also received many foreign visitors from countries such as the United States, Britain, Singapore and Thailand,' he said. Besides the four-wheelers, the site offers a wide choice of desert-based activities such as off-roaders, sand surfing, camel riding and desert camping. At the camel trekking area, Chen Wenbai mounted a camel and, under the guidance of staff, set off to explore the rolling sand dunes. The rhythmic chime of camel bells and the ethereal whistling of the camel herders echoed across the wilderness, creating a scene reminiscent of the ancient Silk Road. This aerial photo taken on Sept. 7, 2023 shows a campsite at a desert scenic spot in Makit County of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Li An) 'It is my first time to see the big desert, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience,' said Chen, who traveled all the way from Zhuhai in south China's Guangdong Province to Xinjiang. Accompanying him were a dozen 'travel buddies' he met online, who had discovered this scenic spot through Xiaohongshu, the Chinese lifestyle online platform known overseas as 'rednote.' The name of the tourist site N39 means the 39 degrees north latitude, a line popular with adventurers and off-road enthusiasts to cross the Taklimakan Desert. The history of the N39 dates back to 1895 when Swedish explorer Sven Anders Hedin led his team along this line to cross the Taklimakan in vain. Today, witnessing an evolving landscape, the once-feared 'Sea of Death' is transforming into a sea of life and hope. Over the years, against the background of China's fight against desertification, people in Xinjiang have been cultivating drought-resistant plants such as populus euphratica, saxaul and red willow at the edge of the Taklimakan to fix the sand and improve the environment. In November 2024, a sand-blocking green belt stretching 3,046 km was completed to encircle the Taklimakan. In Makit, a total of 78,400 hectares of sand prevention and control projects, including 30,666 hectares of protective forests, have been completed. At the same time, the county has been tapping into the economic potential of the desert. Besides the N39 scenic area, it also established a tourist site featuring the Daolang (swordsman) culture and paintings created by local farmers. According to Pan Guoping, deputy director of the local culture, broadcasting and tourism bureau, in the first five months of 2025, the county received over 1.78 million tourist visits, a growth of 55.05 percent year-on-year. Tourism revenue during the period reached 732 million yuan (102 million U.S. dollars), up 61.58 percent. The tourist boom is evident around the Taklimakan. At the northern edge of the desert, Xayar County, Aksu Prefecture, boasts the world's largest and best-preserved pristine populus euphratica forest stretching along the Tarim River. Aerial photo taken on Oct. 22, 2020 shows the autumn scenery of desert poplar (populus euphratica) forest along the Tarim River in Xayar County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu) Thanks to the ecological restoration efforts such as ecological water conveyance and replanting, the county has created a wetland scenic area in the desert, integrating populus euphratica forests, lakes, wetlands and waterfowl habitats. In autumn, when the forests turn into a sea of golden yellow, this once-isolated area emerges as a popular destination, drawing visitors and photographers from near and far. At the southern margin of the desert, Yutian County in Hotan Prefecture has a long history of rose cultivation. As part of the sand control efforts, local communities have successfully cultivated drought-resistant and highly adaptable rose varieties suitable to their local desert conditions. The region now hosts a rose culture tourism festival annually, featuring an array of activities including song and dance performances, cultural exhibitions, rose-themed experiences, gourmet food tasting, agricultural product fairs, and sports events. The booming tourism industry is offering immense opportunities for locals. Four years ago, after graduating from Shanghai Normal University, Aynur Emer returned to her hometown of Makit and became a tour guide at the N39 scenic area. Now, at just 25 years old, she is the scenic spot's deputy general manager. Growing up in a farming family, Aynur Emer often found herself reflecting on the desert that dominated her childhood memories — a place of hardship she hoped to leave. 'The back door of our house opened directly onto the desert,' she recalled. 'During sandstorms, the roads would disappear entirely. Coming back from the market, I frequently struggled to find my way home.' As a little girl, she never imagined that the desert could become a tourist destination. Yet today, thanks to environmental improvements and a burgeoning tourism industry, the desert has transformed in her eyes from a source of struggle to one of beauty and prosperity. 'When I was young, I dreamed of traveling to see stunning landscapes far from home,' Aynur Emer said. 'But now, the best view is right at my doorstep.' -Xinhua China outdoor activities Taklimakan Desert tourism
Malaysia Sun
2 days ago
- Malaysia Sun
Indonesia sees 14 pct surge in foreign tourist arrivals in May 2025
JAKARTA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia recorded a sharp increase of 14.01 percent year-on-year in foreign tourist arrivals, reaching a total of 1.31 million visits in May 2025, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Tuesday. "Most foreign tourists came from Malaysia at 18.26 percent, followed by Australia at 11.31 percent and Singapore at 9.68 percent," said Pudji Ismartini, deputy for distribution and services statistics at BPS, during a press conference. The main entry point for foreign tourists in May was I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, primarily visited by travelers from Australia, India, and China, partly driven by events such as the Bali Spirit Festival and the Bali Training Ultra trail run. Other major entry points included Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Hang Nadim Airport in Batam, Juanda Airport in Surabaya, and Kualanamu Airport in North Sumatra. In contrast, domestic tourist trips in May climbed by 17.81 percent year-on-year to 97.67 million trips. Cumulatively, from January to May, foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia reached 5.63 million, up 7.44 percent compared to the same period last year, while domestic tourist trips in the same period totaled 508.67 million, an increase of 16.13 percent year-on-year.
