China faces ‘another test’ as it shivers through Lunar New Year travel rush, premier says

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday instructed transport officials to be alert and prepared for potential emergencies as a major cold front blanketed much of the country, disrupting traffic during the Lunar New Year.

The Ministry of Transport said it expected record travel numbers with more than 9 billion trips to be made during this year’s 40-day Spring Festival travel season, which started on January 14, marking the world’s largest annual human migration. China started the eight-day Lunar New Year holiday on Tuesday.

The ministry said 253 million people travelled on various forms of transport on Monday, down 6 per cent from the daily travel peak of 273 million hit on Saturday. Many travellers had arrived in their hometowns ahead of new year’s eve on Tuesday. Total daily trips were expected to fall to about 194 million on Tuesday.

Li made his remarks during an inspection of the transport ministry on Monday, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The record travel peak was “another test” for China’s transport system, Li said, as he urged officials to “scientifically analyse passenger flows” and adjust the number of trains and flights, or extend the operating hours according to meet actual needs.

Li also called on transport officials to remain alert and prepare for disruptions from cold weather in much of China, including a blizzard that has swept across the north. He urged officials to track weather changes, release timely warnings and prepare supplies and equipment in case of emergencies.