China has striven to ensure the smooth operation of its national transportation system during the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush, when 1.18 billion passenger trips are expected. 14 government agencies, including the National Development and Reform Commission, recently issued guidelines for the impending surge.

A special working group has been established to guarantee COVID-19 prevention and control, transportation security, safety supervision, and passenger-friendly services during the travel season. During the Spring Festival, Chinese railroads will provide more than 10.5 million passenger seats per day, an increase of more than 10 percent over 2019. The 40-day Spring Festival travel period will begin on January 17 and overlap with the Beijing Olympic Winter Games.