China's Shandong-Liaoning sea routes gained access to the 5G network on Wednesday, enabling tourists on cruises to use their mobile phones, according to the Northern Navigation Service Center of the Maritime Safety Administration.
The Shandong-Liaoning sea routes, typically those from Yantai City to Dalian or Lyushun cities, or from Longkou City to Lyushun City, are critical marine passages connecting the Shandong Peninsula and Liaodong Peninsula in the Bohai Sea, spanning distance of at least 150 kilometers.
Maritime departments, in collaboration with mobile network operators, have developed network access facilities to expand telecommunication coverage and stabilize signals.
"Previously, there was no signal shortly after setting sail. This affected our services such as cabin upgrades, fare adjustments, and mobile payments at canteens, which could only be completed upon arrival at the destination. Now, signals are available even when vessels are in the middle of the voyage," said Sun Xiaochen, a staff member of BHFerry.
Currently, the 5G network covers over 20,000 square kilometers, enhancing passenger experience and navigation safety.
"Next, we will draw lessons from the broadband network construction along the Shandong-Liaoning routes to accelerate broadband deployment in the Bohai Sea. Our goal is to achieve full broadband coverage in the Bohai Sea by the end of 2027," said Yang Zhe, director of the Northern Navigation Service Center, Maritime Safety Administration.
Shandong-Liaoning sea routes achieve 5G network access
The 54th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) was held in Asuncion, Paraguay from Wednesday to Friday, with a focus on integration and security for the sustainable regional development.
Attending the assembly were representatives from OAS member states, 74 permanent observers and some civil society organizations.
Under the theme of "Integration and Security for the Sustainable Development of the Region," the delegations expressed their pleas for peace, democracy, equality and multilateral work among countries.
Hours before the opening ceremony in Asuncion, the situation in Bolivia, a neighboring country to Paraguay, was top on the agenda.
According to the Bolivian government, Gen. Juan Jose Zuniga on Wednesday led the attempted coup in Palacio Quemado, the government palace, which is located in Murillo Square in the city of La Paz, in a failed bid to oust President Luis Arce from office.
"We do have a very deep concern about the indigenous people in Bolivia, and hopefully this coup d'etat that didn't happen, that things go smoothly," said Clement Chartier, former president of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples.
The assembly also dedicated its statements to the improvement of democracy in Haiti and also to the promotion of human rights throughout the continent. A resolution was approved for continued efforts toward the immediate restoration of security, and the strengthening of humanitarian aid in Haiti.
Haiti has long suffered serious political and social crises, especially after then President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021. There are around 200 armed gangs in the country disturbing the social order. The rise of armed gangs, the surge of violence incidents and the increase of lynching cases have forced Haitians to live in humanitarian disasters in terms of safety, health care and food supplies.
54th OAS General Assembly held in Asuncion, with focus on regional security
54th OAS General Assembly held in Asuncion, with focus on regional security
