China
Is there room for China in Australia’s travel bubble?
Author: Songshan (Sam) Huang, Edith Cowan University
While Australia has managed the COVID-19 pandemic exceptionally well, hard border closures led to substantial losses in its tourism sector. Australia is ranked among the top 10 most affected economies in terms of tourism revenue loss. A Deloitte report on Australia’s tourism recovery outlined three scenarios, with even the most severe scenario anticipating some international travel bubbles emerging in 2021.
Every sign indicates the real situation may be worse than this scenario. Halfway through 2021, there is no indication that the pandemic will end soon. Recent upsurges of COVID-19 cases and deaths in India have put Australia back on high alert and interrupted the country’s travel bubble arrangements with New Zealand and Singapore. Ongoing challenges with interstate travel and slow vaccination progress don’t bode well for the recovery of Australia’s tourism industry.
Tourism plays a key part in the Australian economy. In 2018–19, tourism contributed AU$60.8 billion (US$46 billion) to national GDP and created jobs for 5 per cent of Australia’s workforce. The tourism industry can serve as a multiplier to help revive related sectors like accommodation, road transportation and aviation. Tourism can play a strategic role in pulling the Australian economy back into normalcy.
But the government needs a strategy to leverage tourism recovery. The pandemic is not going away, so selective travel bubble arrangements between countries may be the best option for governments to reboot tourism. Australia has been exercising, in a limited sense, such policies with New Zealand and Singapore. Could travel bubbles be extended to other countries like China?
China plays an important role in Australia’s bilateral trade and tourism. In 2018–19, international visitors from China accounted for 27 per cent of Australia’s total international tourist spend, equivalent to the market share of visitor spend from the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand and India combined. As Australia’s number one inbound visitor market, China cannot be neglected when formulating Australia’s tourism recovery strategy.
Despite its original outbreak in Wuhan, China has been leading the world in its management of COVID-19. By 22 June 2021, China recorded 117,548 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 5395 deaths, compared to the world total of over 178 million cases and 3.8 million deaths.
While most countries are constantly forced into snap lockdowns, China has mostly enjoyed a hassle-free domestic travel environment since the beginning of 2021. The Labour Day holiday in early May witnessed a rural tourism boom in China amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Travel bubbles could be instituted between Australian state capital cities and major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen — keeping in mind that quick lockdowns may happen in any of these cities. The benefits of travel bubbles with China spill over to Australia’s higher education sector — thousands of Chinese students would be able to return to Australian universities.
The pandemic also hammered a deadly blow to Australia’s higher education sector. International student numbers in Australia are expected to halve by mid-2021. In November 2020, over half of the 160,000 international students from China in Australian universities were stuck overseas. Despite a push for pilot trials to bring back international students, only one flight to Darwin in November 2020 carrying 63 students has taken place.
In December 2019, international students from China accounted for 28 per cent of all international students studying in Australia. But Australia’s hard border closure is diverting students to other countries. Travel bubbles with China could recover the declining market confidence in Australia as an international study destination.
While a travel bubble arrangement with China is critical for Australia’s tourism industry recovery, the barriers are obvious. The Australian government is unlikely to ease border restrictions before the end of 2021. China also seems to be very cautious and apparently won’t be opening its borders until the second half of 2022. And deteriorating Australia–China relations rule out the possibility of either government initiating or accepting a travel bubble proposal between the two countries in the short term.
Chinese consumers may also change their preferences post-pandemic and seek out more nature-based tourist attractions. Australia may have an advantage in its natural endowment of…
Business
Business Update: Southern Sun Reports Earnings Growth; China Stimulates Property Market – News24
Southern Sun reports increased earnings, attributed to growth in the hospitality sector, while China’s property market receives a boost, reflecting economic recovery and renewed investor confidence.
Southern Sun Earnings Surge
Southern Sun has reported a significant increase in its earnings, showcasing solid financial performance amid evolving market conditions. This growth highlights the company’s resilience and adaptability to changing consumer demands, positioning it well for future opportunities in the hospitality industry.
China’s Property Market Recovery
In a bid to rejuvenate its economy, China has introduced measures to boost its property market. These initiatives aim to stabilize real estate prices and encourage investment, which is crucial for maintaining economic momentum. The government’s commitment to supporting the sector reflects its understanding of the industry’s importance in overall economic health.
Broader Economic Implications
The rise in Southern Sun’s earnings and China’s proactive approach to revitalizing its property market indicate broader economic trends. Investors and stakeholders are keenly observing these developments, as they may signal recovery and growth opportunities in both the hospitality and real estate sectors. The collaboration between local businesses and governmental actions will be pivotal in shaping future economic landscapes.
Source : Business brief | Southern Sun sees earnings rise; China boosts its property market – News24
China
Vietnam’s Approach to China: A Balance of Cooperation and Struggle
Vietnam’s diplomatic strategy seeks a balance of cooperation and struggle with China, focusing on strengthening ties while resisting encroachments in the South China Sea through military enhancements and regional partnerships.
Vietnam’s Diplomatic Strategy
Vietnam’s diplomatic approach seeks to maintain a delicate balance between cooperation and struggle with China. While concerned about China’s growing influence, particularly in the South China Sea, Hanoi focuses on strengthening its economic and political ties. This effort involves military enhancements, fostering relationships with regional powers, and engaging in frequent political dialogues. By skillfully navigating relations with major powers, Vietnam aims to protect its sovereignty and foster stability amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Recent Developments and Implications
Hanoi’s diplomatic maneuvering has drawn attention, particularly regarding key visits like Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam’s August 2024 trip to China. Although there are apprehensions about a potential shift in Vietnam’s alignment due to To Lam’s background in public security and his anti-corruption initiatives, it is premature to predict any significant changes in policy. Vietnam’s leaders must continuously seek a balance between peaceful coexistence with China and safeguarding national sovereignty.
Economic Interdependence and Military Modernization
Vietnam’s strategy involves fostering economic interdependence with China while simultaneously resisting encroachments. This paradigm of “cooperation and struggle” enables Hanoi to cultivate beneficial ties in economic, political, and security domains. By leveraging its geographical advantage and connections, Vietnam enhances its economic ties while countering threats through military modernization and cooperation with regional partners. This nuanced approach allows Vietnam to welcome trade, particularly amidst shifting dynamics from the US-China trade war, ensuring continued foreign direct investment and growth in key sectors.
Source : Cooperation and struggle define Vietnam’s approach to China
China
2025 Schedule of Public Holidays in China
China’s 2025 public holiday schedule increases holidays by two days, with an 8-day Spring Festival and a 5-day Labor Day. Adjustments address public frustration, though long work periods persist. Notably, weekends are often designated as workdays to balance extended breaks.
China has released its 2025 Public Holiday schedule. Compared to 2024, the number of public holidays for all citizens has increased by two days, specifically for Lunar New Year’s Eve and May 2nd.
The announcement also clarifies the adjusted holiday arrangements, stating that the continuous work period before and after statutory holidays generally should not exceed six days, except for certain special circumstances.
According to the notice, in 2025, the Spring Festival will have an 8-day holiday, the Labor Day holiday will last 5 days, and the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival will jointly have 8 days off.
China has long been considered one of the least generous countries in terms of public holidays. Additionally, people have expressed frustration over the complicated adjustments to holiday and working days that are meant to create longer breaks. The newly introduced changes are expected to address these concerns to some extent.
Beyond the newly introduced changes, China’s 2025 public holiday schedule still features two major week-long holidays: Spring Festival (also known as Chinese New Year) and the National Day holiday (often called ‘Golden Week’).
In 2025, the Spring Festival falls between January 28 and February 4, and the National Day holiday, together with the Mid-Autumn Festival, fall between October 1 and 8.
Foreign human resource managers should note that Saturdays and Sundays are often marked as additional official workdays in China to compensate for long holiday breaks. For example, January 26 (Sunday) and February 8 (Saturday) are designated as workdays to partially offset the eight days off for the Spring Festival.
This article was first published by China Briefing , which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and India . Readers may write to info@dezshira.com for more support. |
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