Xi'an airport's new terminal highlights operational efficiency, environmental sustainability

The Terminal 5 at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport in northwest China's Xi'an City, which officially began operation on Thursday, features an advanced design that emphasizes both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

The newly opened terminal, covering an area of 700,000 square meters, enables both domestic and international passengers to depart from the same floor, eliminating the need to change levels.

The terminal is equipped with eight check-in counter areas, 60 self-service check-in kiosks, and a new smart luggage handling system that can deliver luggage to its designated location in just 5 minutes and 18 seconds at the fastest speed.

Additionally, in the border inspection area, the waiting area for passengers has expanded from 1,200 square meters to 6,500 square meters, along with notable improvements in enforcement facilities and customs clearance.

"Our airport has greatly expanded the number of passenger inspection channels from 42 in Terminal 3 to 72 in Terminal 5. Our fast-track channels use advanced technology to quickly read documents, allowing passengers to go through them in about 10 seconds, which is about one-third faster than before. This ensures maximum efficiency in passenger clearance," said Chen Kaihao, a police officer working at the airport's border inspection station.

The eco-friendly design is another highlight of the new terminal. By utilizing solar power, natural lighting, intelligent temperature control, and energy recovery systems, the terminal has effectively reduced carbon emissions and realized sustainability.

Notably, during its construction, the original runway concrete was recycled and repurposed, turning into the flooring inside the terminal.

"Through further polishing, processing, and cutting, the runway stone beneath my feet was transformed into a decorative tile, which was then used for the flooring in the terminal. The small offcuts and fragments from this process were repurposed for the drainage channels in the flight area, helping to reduce construction waste and environmental pollution," said Yang Shuai, a senior executive at China West Airport Group.

Xi'an airport's new terminal highlights operational efficiency, environmental sustainability

The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.

The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.

The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.

The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.

The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.

The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.

The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.

Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.

The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.

The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.

ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges