China hopes for a bumper lunar new year as world’s biggest migration begins

Year of the horse signals optimism and opportunity, with authorities keen that the extra day of holiday this year provides an economic boost Chinese officials are hoping that this year’s extra long lunar new year holiday will provide a boost to the country’s economy, where increasing domestic spending has been identified as a key priority for the year ahead. The government expects a record 9.5 billion passenger trips to be made across China during the 40-day spring festival period, up from 9 billion trips last year. Hundreds of millions of people will be crisscrossing the country to make what is often their only trip home to see their families for the Chinese new year celebrations. Continue reading...

By Amy Hawkins Senior China correspondent

Safety measures ramped up before CNY

The government has instructed local authorities across the country to ramp up safety measures ahead of the Lunar New Year festival, with a focus on preventing fires, reducing traffic accidents and curbing air pollution.