In today's complex global landscape, especially amid the ongoing China-U.S. trade tensions, some Western media and online commentators keep pushing the idea that China's economy is faltering, questioning its future growth. But facts speak louder than speculation. Take the recent May Day holiday as an example: China's cultural and tourism sector saw a strong rebound, underscoring the vitality of domestic demand and consumer confidence.
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During the holiday, domestic travel reached 314 million trips, up 6.4% year-on-year, while tourism revenue soared to 180.27 billion yuan, marking an 8% increase. Inbound tourism also rebounded steadily, with major source countries including Myanmar, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia, the UK, Thailand, the Philippines, Russia, Vietnam, and Japan, collectively accounting for 57.4% of all international visitors. These figures strongly refute claims of a weakening Chinese economy.
Henan, a key economic hub in Central China, delivered an especially strong performance. During the holiday, Henan welcomed 64.5 million tourists and generated 37.11 billion yuan in tourism revenue, representing year-on-year increases of 4.6% and 4.8%, respectively. Cultural and tourism events in cities such as Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Anyang attracted large crowds, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. Clearly, Henan's tourism market was heating up.
Beyond tourism, Henan's real economy also demonstrated strong momentum. According to production and sales data, Zhengzhou-based Yutong Group manufactured 8,934 buses in the first quarter, marking a 6.85% year-on-year increase, while sales reached 9,011 units, up 16.56%. As a global leader in new energy buses, Yutong has sold nearly 200,000 new energy vehicles, operating in over 40 countries and regions, actively driving the worldwide transition to low-carbon public transportation.
Meanwhile, Zhengzhou hosts BYD's largest integrated production base, where the factory now rolls out a new energy vehicle every minute, demonstrating both high efficiency and strong demand. In April 2025, BYD sold 11,123 vehicles across 14 European countries, significantly outperforming Tesla's 6,253 units. The brand now leads in major markets such as Germany, the UK, France, Italy, and Spain, reshaping the competitive landscape throughout Europe.
Local retail giant Pangdonglai has become a benchmark for high-quality development in Henan, driven by its "quality-first, service-oriented" philosophy. As of May 16, the company's monthly sales exceeded 1 billion yuan, with cumulative revenue for the year surpassing 9 billion yuan, demonstrating strong consumer appeal. Another homegrown brand, Mixue Bingcheng, was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on March 3 and plans to open its first store in Brazil later this year.
The vitality and resilience of China's economy are evident not only in the numbers but also in its robust industrial base, increasing business confidence, and optimistic market outlook. The fundamentals supporting China's long-term growth remain firmly intact. Henan serves as a vivid reflection of this broader trend. Claims ofChina's economic decline are out of touch with reality and will ultimately prove baseless. (Zhao Hanqing and Zhang Yahan)
