Delivery drones fly local specialties from Sichuan's remote villages to broader markets

Delivery drones allow villagers in the mountainous areas of Sichuan Province to transport and sell their local specialties to broader markets across China.

In Badi Township, Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County, where icy winter roads block transportation to mountain villages, drones swiftly deliver fresh meat and other local specialties to post offices, from where they are distributed to major cities.

"Our Tibetan pigs are raised in the mountains at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. In winter, icy roads and rainy weather make driving up here very difficult. Last year, we had to hire people to carry the pigs down the mountains to sell them. Each person could only carry half a pig per trip and make two trips a day before dusk. It cost 150 yuan (about 20.49 U.S. dollars) per day per person to transport one pig. This year, thanks to Beichuan's thriving aviation industry, we are using drones to transport our pork. Each trip takes just over 10 minutes and costs only about 10 yuan (about 1.37 U.S. dollars). So far, we have sold more than 1,000 pigs this way this year, with another 1,000 still to go," said Ma Hong, a Tibetan pork seller.

"We used to mainly ship cured meat, but ever since drones began transporting goods from the mountains this year in towns and villages, fresh meat shipments have increased significantly. Goods arrive at the [China Post] station and are packed and shipped out immediately. Big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou can receive them the next day. It's very convenient," said Ren Xiaorong, head of a local China Post station.

In addition to drone deliveries, Beichuan has also intensified efforts in e-commerce and livestream training to broaden the sales channels for local agricultural products.

In Dongjiang Village, Piankou Township, local villagers sell cured pork, ribs, and sausages through e-commerce platforms and livestreaming, with estimated sales exceeding 5 million yuan (approximately 680,000 U.S. dollars) this year.

"At first, we only had a few hundred orders. Then, through offline referrals from our regular customers, the orders surpassed 1,000. Later, with livestream training and government support, we began selling both online and offline. Now, our cured products are shipped across China. So far, we have fulfilled 4,000–5,000 orders, and with the Spring Festival arriving, we're preparing and shipping over 10,000 more orders," said Wang Xiaoli, a seller of cured products.

To ensure the smooth delivery of agricultural goods, postal and courier companies are enhancing their services by providing free vacuum packing and expanding rural collection routes.

"th the Spring Festival approaching, the volume of goods from Beichuan has significantly increased compared to last year. I estimate that before services are suspended for the Spring Festival holiday, the total volume will grow by around 50 percent year on year. As couriers, we'll ensure the safe and efficient delivery of Beichuan's goods to our customers," said Li Chao, a courier with Yunda Express.

Delivery drones fly local specialties from Sichuan's remote villages to broader markets

Delivery drones fly local specialties from Sichuan's remote villages to broader markets

Delivery drones fly local specialties from Sichuan's remote villages to broader markets

The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.

Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.

The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.

In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.

Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.

Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.

Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.

The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.

History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.

South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.

U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.

In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.

They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.

They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.

U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide