A cross-border cold-chain freight train carrying 400 tons of fresh vegetables left southwest China's Yunnan Province for Laos on Friday afternoon, marking the start of regular operations for cold-chain train service along the China-Laos rail route.
The train departs from Yuxi City in Yunnan, travels to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and then the goods are transferred by road to Bangkok, Thailand.
Equipped with advanced refrigerated containers, the cold-chain freight train ensures that vegetables stay fresh and high-quality throughout the journey. With this service now running regularly on the China-Laos Railway, Yunnan's specialty products and fresh produce have a reliable and efficient new route for exporting to more overseas destinations. "It's expected that over 50,000 tons of high-quality fruits and vegetables will be transported annually via this efficient rail route to countries in the Indo-China Peninsula," said Zhang Guilan, deputy director of Yuxi Municipal Bureau. of Commerce.
"This fast and efficient logistics channel not only meets customers' demands for keeping refrigerated goods at the right temperature and delivering them on time, but also demonstrates the China-Laos Railway's contribution to China's international trade and high-level economic openness," said Xu Jiefeng, department director of the Kunming logistic center, China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co Ltd.
Since the China-Laos Railway started operating in December 2021, it has handled over 10 million tons of import and export cargo as of Aug 22, 2024, according to the railway's operator.
China-Laos cold-chain freight train service in regular operation
China-Laos cold-chain freight train service in regular operation
Tens of thousands of Lebanese are heading back to their homes in southern Lebanon after a fragile ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel came into effect on Wednesday.
More than 1.3 million people were displaced when the fighting escalated in September. With the ceasefire now in place, many residents have begun their journey home, traveling along the international highway with personal belongings and mixed emotions following months of intense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and widespread destruction in southern and border villages.
"We are returning to our land, and thank God for the victory. We couldn't bear to leave this bird alone, so we took him with us -- and if he survived, that's good, and if not, that's his fate -- and he returned with us to his home. He wasn't singing in our place of displacement, but when we arrived here, he started singing again," said a returnee holding a cage with a canary in her lap.
"I'm riding from Beirut to Houmeen on a motorcycle. I don't want to get stuck in traffic," said another returnee, emphasizing his desire to get back home as quickly as possible.
"I feel very happy, but I am also sad. I wish Sayyed Hassan (Nasrallah) could come back to raise the banner of victory," said another returnee.
The Lebanese Minister of Interior held a news conference in Beirut to discuss the return of the displaced, reconstruction efforts, and the implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which aims to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
"The great challenge is preserving the Lebanese areas and completing the return and reconstruction process without encroaching on public or private properties. Implementing laws is the cornerstone and essential for building a state. We have always stressed that implementing Resolution 1701 is necessary and that Lebanon's commitment to its legitimacy and all forms of legitimacy necessary to build a state is crucial," said Bassam Mawlawi, the interior minister.
The Lebanese Army reported on social media that the Israeli military violated the ceasefire agreement multiple times on Wednesday and Thursday by targeting Lebanese territories with various weapons.
Earlier, the Lebanese Army announced plans to deploy thousands of troops alongside UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon to help ensure the ceasefire holds.
Lebanese residents begin returning home after ceasefire deal
