A 16.3 km renovated section of Beijing's East Sixth Ring Road opened to traffic on Sunday morning after five years of construction, expected to improve the city's transport network.
The project at the core area of Beijing's sub-center included two segments of 7.1 km in total length to be broadened from four lanes to six lanes and one segment in between of 9.2 km in length to be renovated underground, including a shielding segment of 7.4 km.
For safe operation of the renovated tunnel section, an intelligent monitoring platform was built to track all the vehicles driving through.
The renovation project serves as an important passage connecting Beijing's Shunyi and Daxing districts, the Beijing Capital International Airport and the Beijing Daxing International Airport.
Renovated section of Beijing's ring road opens to traffic
A welcoming ceremony for two Chinese giant pandas was held on Wednesday at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo, one of the world's oldest zoos, marking the official start of their decade-long stay in Austria for scientific research and as ambassadors of friendship.
The pandas, male He Feng and female Lan Yun, arrived in Austria on April 23.
Addressing the welcoming ceremony, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen highlighted that giant pandas are a symbol of the strong friendship between Austria and China.
"Cooperations like these create trust. They bring nations closer together. We shouldn't underestimate the impact of these seemingly small occasions, despite all the differences that may exist. And the giant pandas are a symbol of the Chinese-Austrian [partnership]," said the president.
Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, who led a delegation to Austria from Sunday to Wednesday, also attended the welcoming ceremony.
"Like ambassadors, they will become mascots of friendship between the two countries and their peoples. The giant panda is a national treasure of China, a jewel in the diversity of the earth's species and a precious treasure of ecological civilization," Li said.
As part of the ceremony, the Schoenbrunn Zoo staged a traditional Chinese lion dance performance to celebrate the pandas' arrival, to the cheers of visitors. Among the crowds were dozens of local school children holding signs reading "warmly welcome" to demonstrate their love for the Chinese giant panda.
"It's a very nice moment today to welcome the bears in Austria in Tiergarten Schoenbrunn," said Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in an interview with the China Global Television Network.
The panda pair's arrival marks the latest 10-year round of the scientific collaboration between China and Austria on giant panda conservation, which started in 2003.
The past years of cooperation saw the birth of five panda cubs in Austria, a record for Europe on breeding, alongside achievements made in disease control, staff training and public education.
Panda pair debuts at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo, receiving warm welcome
