China's massive tunnel boring machine (TBM) rolled off the production line on Saturday in Changsha City of Hunan Province in central China, ready to be deployed to Hangzhou City of Zhejiang Province in east China to drill a new high-speed railway tunnel.
With an excavation diameter of 14.3 meters, a length of about 126 meters and a total weight of 3,100 tons, the machine is about to drill through a 4,068.7-meter tunnel, including a challenging 3,250-meter stretch of ultra-soft soil.
To handle geological complexities, the machine, named "Linghang" or Piloting, is equipped with advanced navigation system, slurry circulation system, and early warning system for adverse geological conditions.
The Linghang TBM will be used in the construction of the Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport East High-Speed Railway tunneling project. Once completed, the 85 km railway is to link cities around Hangzhou, and enhance multi-layered transportation networks in the Yangtze River Delta region.
China's massive tunnel boring machine ready to go
Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Gilles Carbonnier on Saturday said he was encouraged by the humanitarian organization's deepening relationship with China.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) during the 11th Xiangshan Forum, Carbonnier said the ICRC has not only been engaged in dialogue with China and other states, but has also welcomed the country's involvement in the launch of programs to help people affected by conflicts.
"China is definitely a major player. We really are very encouraged to see that our relationship with the PLA, with the People's Liberation Army, with the Ministry of Defense deepening on several issues of common interest, especially on International Humanitarian Law and humanitarian priorities. We at the ICRC really look forward to developing this dialogue, of course, here in Beijing, but also as we're doing in Geneva, in New York, as well as in the field, for example, where Chinese peacekeepers are also active," he said.
The three-day Xiangshan Forum opened on Thursday in Beijing, attracting more than 500 representatives of official delegations from more than 100 countries and international organizations, and over 200 experts and scholars to discuss global security.
At the forum, Carbonnier delivered a speech on the topic of the international mechanism and global security governance.
In'tl Red Cross Committee vice president hails deepening ties with China
