- Tapping, Riding, Gliding – the Everyday Ease of Getting Around in China
Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors.
Public transportation here doesn't just move people – it empowers them.
Before arriving in China, I had heard much about its high-speed trains and sprawling cities, but nothing quite prepared me for how seamlessly everything functions together.
From subways and high-speed rail (HSR) to ride-hailing apps and bike-sharing systems, China's infrastructure is impressively fast, affordable and well-organised.
However, traffic regulations appear to be less strictly observed. Pedestrians often cross at zebra crossings even when the light is red, and some vehicles continue through crossings despite green pedestrian signals – posing risks to both walkers and cyclists.
Take the Beijing Subway, for instance. With 27 lines and over 500 stations, it is one of the busiest metro systems in the world, yet it runs with remarkable efficiency and punctuality.
This occurs despite the presence of hundreds of surveillance cameras monitoring the roads.
Smarter Transportation Integration – All in One App
Navigating China's vast cities has never been easier, thanks to real-time updates on apps like Baidu Maps and AMAP.
Fares are remarkably affordable – starting as low as 1 yuan (about 60 sen) for short bicycle rides and 3 yuan (around RM2) for a subway trip – all payable through contactless methods like WeChat Pay or Alipay.
Need a bus? Just check AMAP or Baidu Maps. Want a ride? Didi appears within seconds. Fancy a bike ride along tree-lined lanes? Shared bicycles are readily available, even in less touristy areas. Looking for an e-scooter? Just scan and go.
While Malaysia is making progress with platforms like Touch 'n Go and Grab eWallet, the experience remains fragmented. Separate apps for MRT access, ride-hailing, and parking mean that travel is not yet as fluid or integrated.
Effortless Transportation – Beyond the Mega Cities
In Beijing, the subway system runs like clockwork, with stations so well-connected that transferring between lines feels almost effortless.
What truly struck me, however, was that this level of convenience isn't confined to China's mega cities.
I recently had the chance to visit Inner Mongolia under a programme organised by the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC), and even in Hohhot – the capital of the autonomous region – the transportation experience was just as smooth.
The journey from bustling Beijing to the serene steppes of Hohhot was a masterclass in transport efficiency.
It began at Beijing North Station, where I boarded the HSR to Hohhot. The train was punctual, comfortable and incredibly fast – covering the 400-km distance in just 2.5 hours.
For comparison, that's almost the same time it takes to drive or go by train from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, a journey spanning just 200 km.
The HSR train reached speeds of 250 to 300 km per hour, yet the ride was so smooth I could work on my laptop without any disruption.
What stood out further was the quality of infrastructure in Hohhot and even in Ulanqab. Roads were immaculate – no potholes, no uneven patches, just smooth driving surfaces. And bike lanes were clearly marked and dedicated – not only in city centres but even on the outskirts – making cycling both safe and convenient.
Of course, it might be unrealistic to expect widespread daily cycling in Malaysia, given our hot and humid climate.
The encouraging news is that Malaysia is making strides. The upcoming MRT3 line, continued improvements to the Electric Train Service (ETS), and the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) – slated to begin operations in June 2026 – signal promising progress.
However, to truly elevate the commuter experience, Malaysia would benefit from enhanced last-mile connectivity – such as dedicated lanes for bicycles and e-scooters, walkable paths, and a unified digital platform integrating all transport modes into a single app. Such advancements would go a long way in making daily travel smoother, smarter, and more accessible.
-- BERNAMA
Kisho Kumari Sucedaram is a journalist with BERNAMA.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
![[Watch] Tourist Fined More Than RM600 For Eating Durian In Hotel, Warns Others: Don't Make The Same Mistake](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therakyatpost.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F05%2FUntitled16-9.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[Watch] Tourist Fined More Than RM600 For Eating Durian In Hotel, Warns Others: Don't Make The Same Mistake](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ftherakyatpost.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
Rakyat Post
3 days ago
- Rakyat Post
[Watch] Tourist Fined More Than RM600 For Eating Durian In Hotel, Warns Others: Don't Make The Same Mistake
Subscribe to our FREE A Chinese tourist visiting Singapore was fined SGD200 (approximately RM658) in cleaning fees for eating durian in her hotel room. She shared her experience on Xiaohongshu to warn others against making the same mistake. Here's what happened: She was staying at a four-star hotel on Orchard Road in Singapore. The next day, she bought a box of durian and fruits from the market. Since there was nowhere to eat at the market, she and her friend brought it back to the hotel. She said, 'The durian was well-packed when we bought it, and even the taxi driver didn't say anything.' When Durian Meets Hotel AC After eating, they stored the leftover durian in the hotel refrigerator. To their surprise, when they returned to their room, a letter was at the door stating a fine of 200 Singapore dollars because the room had a durian smell and required deep cleaning. (Pix: ) The woman was extremely shocked and immediately searched online to see if others had experienced similar situations. She discovered that many people had, with some hotels even charging up to SGD500! She immediately called the hotel to apologise, explaining that it was her first time in Singapore and she wasn't aware of this rule, hoping for some leniency. However, the hotel responded: 'The durian smell travels through the air conditioning system to other rooms, making them unusable for several days, so we must charge a cleaning fee.' (Video: Social Media Divided Over Tourist's Durian Dilemma She ended up paying the fine and asked the hotel to dispose of the remaining durian. Not everyone in China regularly eats durian, so I really didn't know the smell would be so strong. Her video of this experience went viral on social media, sparking heated discussions. Some defended her, saying, 'The hotel didn't clearly display the rules; where did this regulation come from?' Others warned, 'Most Southeast Asian hotels ban durian, and you can't even bring it on the MRT or buses!' and 'You really need to do your research before travelling abroad!' In similar cases from 2023, That same year, (Pix: Malaysia's Hotels Echo Singapore's Strict Durian Policies While this incident occurred in Singapore, it is a crucial reminder for both Malaysians and tourists visiting Malaysia, as similar rules apply throughout both countries. Most Malaysian hotels, like their Singaporean counterparts, strictly prohibit the consumption of durian on their premises, although the fines for doing so may vary. This is particularly relevant now, as we approach the peak durian season in Malaysia. Dilarang bawa masuk ke hotel, tp durian Monthong terlalu menggoda.. Udah sih makan d balik slimut we 😂 — yes, I am that (@ScorpioGuyyyy) Many hotels in popular tourist destinations, such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Melaka, have clear 'No Durian' policies, often displayed alongside other prohibited items, including smoking and pets. It's important to note that durian isn't the only fruit prohibited. As commonly shown in hotel signage, several other aromatic fruits are also banned: Jackfruit – Known for its strong, sweet aroma Cempedak – A close relative of jackfruit with an equally potent smell Mangosteen – Though less pungent, its purple rind can stain hotel furnishings Parts of this story have been sourced from . Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
The Star
25-05-2025
- The Star
China now offers instant tax refund to tourists in bid to boost consumption. Here's how it works
BEIJING: Visitors to China might soon find it easier to claim tax rebates at store checkouts – and that could mean a little extra cash to spend during their trip and fewer queues at the airport. Experts say this could boost the economy, but the key will be getting more retailers on board with the programme. China recently revised its tax rebate policy to allow foreign tourists to receive their tax refunds instantly at eligible stores, rather than only at the airport, and lowered the minimum spending required for such claims. Since April 27, tourists who spend at least 200 yuan (S$36) at the same store on the same day are eligible for the instant tax refund, down from the previous 500 yuan. The maximum cash refund amount has also been raised from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan. Refunds can be received instantly through mobile payments such as WeChat and Alipay's digital wallets, credit cards and in cash. Previously, tourists had to get paper forms and receipts in order, and could receive the refunds only at the tax refund counter at the airport right before leaving the country. The catch? Not all shops offer this service, but Chinese authorities said they are working to broaden the list of such tax-refund stores in major shopping areas, pedestrian streets, tourist sites, resorts, cultural venues, airports, passenger ports and hotels. Goods eligible for refunds include luxury items, those from time-honoured Chinese brands such as traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy Tong Ren Tang and silk store Rui Fu Xiang, craft, cultural and heritage items, renowned Chinese consumer goods and sports products. Food and beverage stores are not included in the list. Chinese state media China Daily noted that a tourist who buys a Huawei Mate XT smartphone with an original price of 23,999 yuan, or $4,300, including tax, can receive an in-store refund of about $462 – enough for a high-speed train ride from Beijing to Shanghai and one-night luxury hotel stay. The policy tweak aims to boost inbound tourist consumption in the world's second-largest economy by getting visitors to spend more and sooner, as Beijing attempts to cushion some damage from the ongoing US-China trade war. The revised model was piloted in several cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, before being rolled out nationwide in April. Auratic, a Chinese porcelain tableware brand, was the sole store in Beijing's Silk Street mall offering in-store tax rebates to tourists. - Photo: ST Shan Guo, a partner at business consultancy Hutong Research, said the departure tax refund, according to China's current value-added tax rate, is around 11 per cent. 'The revised policy means tourists have 11 per cent more cash to spend in China, instead of bringing it home after getting it upon departure,' she said. Assuming that tourists spend all the cash refunded, Guo estimated that it could translate to another 0.05 per cent support to China's gross domestic product (GDP) – a modest figure, but a boost nonetheless. 'The upside could be higher – if tourists spend more than what they were refunded and if the policy attracts more visitors. Cities such as Shanghai could benefit as it is usually tourists' first and last stop in China, as well as the go-to place for luxury shopping,' she said. In 2024, China's inbound tourist spending accounted for about 0.5 per cent of China's GDP, compared with 1 per cent to 3 per cent in major economies. Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping highlighted it as an area with significant growth potential on April 27 when announcing the measures. A total of 132 million tourists spent more than US$94.2 billion in China in 2024, an increase of 77.8 per cent from 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. With the policy in place, Guo noted that it was now a matter of getting more shops on board the instant tax rebate programme, as some retailers may not feel that offering this service benefits them. A sign near the entrance of luxury shopping mall SKP in Beijing indicating that the mall offers tax rebates to foreign tourists. - Photo: ST A check by The Straits Times in Beijing found that high-end shopping centres, SKP and China World Mall, have an instant tax refund counter, which is marked with a large blue sign. At Taikoo Li Sanlitun, a trendy shopping area popular with the young, most luxury international boutiques such as Gucci and Moncler offer the service. But a number of local Chinese brands, such as popular perfume brand To Summer, do not. The roll-out of the programme appears uneven, as smaller malls have not yet come on board. At Silk Street, a tourist-centric shopping mall in Beijing selling silk garments, leather goods and traditional handicraft, only one store selling porcelain tableware offered the service. Some sales assistants were perplexed when asked if their shop offered in-store tax rebates for foreign tourists, saying they had not heard of this new policy. But three sales assistants told ST that they have been informed there will be a mall-wide push to implement the in-store tax refund, although the timeline was unclear. A sales assistant selling Chinese brocade jewellery boxes, who wanted to be known only as Ms Wang, said: 'It'll be good for business because only tourists buy these items as souvenirs. But whether our in-store tax rebate system will be ready in two weeks or two months, I cannot say for sure.' How to get the in-store tax refund Spend at least 200 yuan at the same store on the same day. Present your passport at the store's checkout. The store will fill in a digital tax refund application form, which takes in your credit card number or e-wallet details, and does the tax refund on the spot or may direct you to a centralised refund counter within the mall or shopping area. At the refund counter, receive your funds via WeChat and Alipay e-wallets, credit cards or in cash. At the airport, before departure, present the digital form and receipts at the e-tax refund kiosk to validate your purchases. If you do not do this, your refund might be reversed and charged back to your credit card or e-wallets. - The Straits Times/ANN
Malaysian Reserve
23-05-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
OceanBase Hosts Technical Symposium on Data x AI and Has Six Papers Accepted at ICDE 2025
HONG KONG, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — OceanBase hosted a technical symposium during the annual IEEE International Conference on Data Engineering (ICDE 2025), a leading global conference in data and information engineering held in Hong Kong this week. The symposium brought together database researchers and professionals from academia and industry to delve into the transformative intersection of database and AI technologies. In the symposium, Charlie Yang, Chief Technology Officer of OceanBase, presented OceanBase's vision for an AI-ready data infrastructure, emphasizing its commitment to empowering intelligent, scalable, and resilient data ecosystems. Notable professors, researchers and experts from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Northeastern University, and OneConnect Financial Technology (Hong Kong), shared their research findings and industry insights around data x AI innovations and applications. Meanwhile, six papers authored or contributed to by the OceanBase team were accepted at ICDE 2025. Among them, 'OceanBase Unionization: Building the Next Generation of Online Map Applications,' co-authored with Alibaba and Cornell University researchers, was recognized as the Best Industry and Application Paper Runner Up. This paper proposes the architectural design of OceanBase's distributed database system, which 'unitizes' services and operations into individual machines, bringing stronger disaster tolerance and achieving better performance in real-world testing with AMap, an online map application platform supporting large-scale distributed services. Serving over 2,000 customers globally, including Alipay, Pop Mart, GCash and DANA, OceanBase remains dedicated to advancing database technologies in today's AI-driven era. Since 2024, more than ten of its research papers have been accepted at top database conferences worldwide, including ICDE, SIGMOD, and VLDB. These papers cover a wide range of topics in distributed database technology, such as innovative algorithm for solving the fair clustering problem, Paxos-backed Append-only Log File (PALF) system, and functionality-aware database tuning. Since its inception in 2010, OceanBase has actively collaborated with esteemed universities and research institutes such as East China Normal University, Renmin University of China, Wuhan University, and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, to explore the forefront of database technologies. These collaborations involve establishing joint laboratories, pursuing research projects, and co-hosting database competitions. Moreover, OceanBase has partnered with institutions like Ant Research and the China Computer Federation to establish funds to conduct in-depth research on major technical challenges for modern databases, including 'stand-alone and distributed integrated architecture,' 'transaction processing and analytical processing (TP and AP) integration,' 'storage-computing separation,' and 'database performance optimization', and bring scientific research into real-world applications. About OceanBase OceanBase is a distributed database launched in 2010. It provides strong data consistency, high availability, high performance, cost efficiency, elastic scalability, and compatibility with mainstream relational databases. It handles transactional, analytical, and AI workloads through a unified data engine, enabling mission-critical applications and real-time analytics. To learn more, please visit:
