A smart shield tunneling machine developed and produced by China for export to Singapore rolled off the production line on Monday.
The shield machine, named "Zhongtie 1238" and manufactured by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. (CREG) in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan Province, boasts a tunneling diameter of 7.22 meters.
Though it is not the largest shield machine produced by the group, this type of shield machine are developed with innovation.
Shield machines are used to drill through tunnels, and traditional ones can only move forward, but cannot go backwards. As a result, when a tunnel project is completed and there is no exit ahead for the machine, the machine would be cut into pieces at the scene.
However, the "Zhongtie 1238" is equipped with a double-layer shield structure, allowing it to return the same way after completing its work.
The shell of the shield can remain permanently at the scene as stable support, while the machine inside can be used in other projects later.
This innovation helps the group further consolidate its market presence in Singapore.
Up to now, the group has received orders for more than 1,700 sets of different shield machines, with the total mileage of tunnel excavation exceeding 5,000 kilometers.
The products of the CREG have been exported to more than 30 countries and regions, and its production and sales volume have ranked first in the world for seven consecutive years.
China's reusable shield tunneling machine ready for export to Singapore
Travelers to Lebanon are seeking a quick and secure way out of the country, as Israel ramps up its attacks on Hezbollah. Governments worldwide have also facilitated evacuations, encouraging their citizens to leave before the situation worsens.
Annika finally made it to the airport in Beirut. She was supposed to leave next week, but the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants shortened her stay. Now, the only thing on her mind is getting back home.
"It's horrible. And you have drones flying over your house and things like that. I didn't feel afraid, but I also have to leave in the future for work, and I don't know, it's so insecure. Maybe I don't want to stay here for another few weeks," said Annika, a traveler leaving Lebanon.
Although everything seemed calm and far away for the first few days, the scene changed quickly in Beirut. Israeli airstrikes intensified, causing many to flee as fast as they could.
"I'm very worried because you don't know what can happen from day to day. You're living like second to second. You don't know what's going to happen. And it's very, very stressful. And this has to come to an end, you know? So, it's time. It's time to go," said Tania, another traveler leaving Lebanon.
The fighting, which has escalated over the past few weeks, has forced the evacuation of thousands of tourists and people with dual citizenship, leaving many scrambling to the airport to secure any available flight in an atmosphere of ongoing strikes. Governments have stepped in to assist with these evacuations, using various channels to reach those who need help.
"We have been using social media a lot to get the message out. [For] our foreign minister, prime minister, and the embassy here in Lebanon, we have been putting out on Twitter, on Facebook, and on Instagram the message that the crisis is here, you need to leave now as soon as possible. And still some don't get the message. But we're getting there, because we've got a good pick-up today, we're getting close to 500 people out on two assisted departures to Cyprus today. And we'll probably continue that for a few days," said Andrew Barnes, Australian ambassador to Lebanon.
The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Australia have all sent government representatives to Beirut to help people who want to leave or need support. Though the first couple of days were chaotic, as many were fleeing, the evacuation now seems to be proceeding steadily. Although Beirut and its airport are still relatively safe, governments urge their citizens to leave before things worsen.
"We've been dealing with this crisis for a while now, and our government has been urging Australians in Lebanon to return home because we were fearful that the situation could escalate. Now it has escalated badly and we are urging all Australians to come to the airport and get on a flight. There are still flights going, the airports still open. They need to leave now because we don't know how the crisis might escalate," Barnes said.
Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its airstrikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, causing great civilian casualties and forcing residents in many areas to leave their homes. It has also launched what it describes as a "limited" ground operation in Lebanon.
Countries facilitate citizens' evacuation from Lebanon as fighting intensifies
