Editor's note: In this weekly feature China Daily gives voice to Asia and its people. The stories presented come mainly from the Asia News Network (ANN), of which China Daily is among its 20 leading titles.

The number of climbing permits for Qomolangma, or Mount Everest in the West, have already surpassed 120 in the first week of April — twice as fast as last year — indicating the potential for another record-breaking season on the world's tallest peak.

This will be the last spring climbing season under the existing regulations.

Leeladhar Awasthi, director at Nepal's Department of Tourism, the government body responsible for issuing climbing permits, confirmed that 120 individuals have been granted Everest climbing permits as of April 8, generating 180 million Nepalese rupees ($1.3 million) in revenue.

Of these climbers, 95 are men and 25 women.

"It's a good start," said Awasthi.

In 2024, the department issued 421 climbing permits, a decline from 479 the previous year.

Around 200 climbers reached the summit last year, supported by more than 600 climbing guides.

This spring, operators anticipate an even busier season on the 8,848.86-meter peak.

Mingma Sherpa, managing director of Seven Summit Treks, the largest expedition agency in Nepal, said they have already confirmed bookings from 100 climbers. However, Seven Summit Treks has yet to apply for permit applications on behalf of the climbers.