14,528 Chinese pilgrims performed Hajj this year

BEIJING - A charter flight carrying 290 Chinese Muslims arrived at Beijing on Thursday, the final group of 14,528 pilgrimages undertook the Hajj in Saudi Arabia this year.

Chinese Muslims have been traveling to Saudi Arabia since late August, and have clocked up 94 charter flights to and from the holy city of Mecca.

Jiang Jianyong, deputy head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, congratulated the devotees at the airport.

This year's Hajj, which draws millions to Saudi Arabia, was struck by tragedy after a crane collapsed and killed 111, and a stampede in Mecca claimed at least 769 lives, including four Chinese nationals from Gansu Province.