In 2024, nearly 4 million long-term travelers settled in southwest China's Yunnan Province, drawn by the opportunity to have a slower, more immersive experience in the province's ancient villages and terraced fields. Keenly recognizing this trend, Yunnan embarked on a shift toward a more diversified, experience-based tourism model from its current site-seeing approach, launching an ambitious three-year plan to develop its long-stay tourism sector. The initiative includes establishing at least 3,000 designated villages tailored for travelers seeking wellness retreats, cultural immersion, educational programs and senior living opportunities. This picture taken on March 11, 2025 shows the Erhai Lake in Dali, Yunnan Province. 

An international team led by Chinese scientists have realized quantum-secured communication across over 12,900 kilometers between China and South Africa. Using the Jinan-1 micro-nano satellite and compact ground stations, this new breakthrough in quantum technology demonstrates the potential for secure quantum communication on a global scale. The result was published on March 19, 2025 in the journal Nature. China has for some time been at the forefront of quantum communication satellite research. The country launched the world's first quantum satellite, named Micius, in 2016. This picture taken on Nov. 6, 2024 shows a model of Micius on display at the seventh China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Hong Kong maintained third place globally and continued to hold the top position in the Asia-Pacific region in a financial centers index published on March 20, 2025. The Global Financial Centers Index 37 report, released by British think tank Z/Yen Group and the China Development Institute in Shenzhen, assessed a total of 119 financial centers around the world. According to the report, Hong Kong's overall rating increased by 11 points to 760, slightly closing the gap in rating with first place. This picture taken on April 6, 2025 shows a night view of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak.

A total of 749 road running races were held in China in 2024, featuring over 7.04 million participants, according to the country's 2024 road running report released by the Chinese Athletics Association on March 21, 2025. The number of participants has witnessed a year-on-year increase of 1 million. Runners' performance has significantly improved, as over 18,000 runners finished marathons within three hours in certified events, and the average finishing time is 4:07:01, which has improved by over five minutes compared to 2023. This picture taken on March 30 shows runners competing during the 2025 Jingzhou Marathon in Jingzhou, central China's Hubei Province.