Briefly

Ministry clears booking troubles at tourist sites

Multiple measures are being taken to address people's difficulties in booking tickets and making reservations of tourist attractions during peak traveling seasons such as holidays and vacations, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said on Friday. As per the new measures, tourist spots are required to retain manual ticketing counters to meet people's needs to the maximum extent; and temporary visitors and elderly people should be allowed in without reservation based on the accommodating capacity of the sites. The ministry took the latest decision after some people raised complaints online that since the tourist attractions implemented appointment systems, planning trips during holidays and peak seasons has become a headache.

Joint drill held to mark 328th Russian Navy day

The recent joint naval exercises by China and Russia in the Gulf of Finland were part of routine military cooperation, which comply with international law and standards, said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, on Friday. The exercises were neither aimed at any specific targets, nor related to current regional situations, he noted. The drill was held to mark the 328th anniversary of the Russian Navy, and it involved Chinese naval vessels Jiaozuo and Honghu alongside Russian ships. The Chinese navy warships participated in activities such as light weapons firing, naval replenishment, joint search and rescue operations, and patrols and surveillance.

Remote-sensing satellites launched

China launched a Long March 4B carrier rocket on Friday afternoon to send a group of remote-sensing satellites into orbit, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. The State-owned space contractor said in a news release that the rocket blasted off at 3:35 pm at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern China's Sichuan province and transported the Yaogan 43A satellites into their preset orbit.

China Daily