Low-carbon railway innovations drive China's green development: CRRC chairman

Low-carbon railway innovations play a crucial role in advancing China's sustainable development goals, said Sun Yongcai, chairman of CRRC Corporation Limited (CRRC), China's leading train maker.

As China pushes for a greener future, railway transportation is playing a pivotal role in cutting carbon emissions, highlighted by breakthroughs in hydrogen-powered urban trains, said Sun in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Beijing.

"In March 2024, China's first hydrogen-powered urban train, independently developed by CRRC, completed a full-system, multi-scenario performance test at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour. This marks a major breakthrough in hydrogen technology for rail transportation. The hydrogen train emits only water vapor, significantly reducing carbon emissions and air pollution in urban transit. What's more, local governments have shown strong policy support for hydrogen-powered rail projects, with cities like Chengdu, Foshan, Qingdao, and Changchun including hydrogen applications in their 14th Five-Year Plans," said Sun.

China has been making concrete strides toward its goal of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

In alignment with the country's green transition, CRRC has set ambitious carbon neutrality targets.

"CRRC Group has set clear carbon neutrality targets, aiming for operational carbon neutrality by 2035 and full value-chain carbon neutrality by 2050. We are establishing low-carbon supply chain management standards, encouraging suppliers to adopt green practices, and driving innovation in sustainable technology. By focusing on green development, we aim to push China's rail transit manufacturing industry toward the higher end of the value chain," said Sun.

Beyond energy efficiency, CRRC is also enhancing passenger experience through technological innovation, said Sun.

"On December 16, 2024, Guangzhou Metro unveiled its latest green urban rail vehicle, featuring 38 industry-leading technologies. Compared to traditional trains, this new model improves energy efficiency by over 15 percent. Attention to detail has enhanced passenger convenience and comfort. For example, the recently designed express metro train for Chongqing's Line 15 features airtight sliding doors for a very quieter ride. With an advanced air purification system, it also ensures high air quality. As rail transit continues to evolve, we can envision a future where it not only offers convenience and comfort but also serves as a green link connecting urban sustainability and public well-being," said Sun.

Low-carbon railway innovations drive China's green development: CRRC chairman

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the situation in Iran is "under total control" following violence linked to protests that spiked over the weekend.

Addressing foreign diplomats in Tehran, the foreign minister noted that armed terrorist groups had infiltrated the protests, attempting to divert them from their legitimate course. He claimed that evidence has been gathered showing Iranian security forces being shot at, with the aim of causing further casualties. He accused the United States and Israel of exploiting the unrest to interfere in Iran's internal affairs.

Araghchi further stated that the government is closely monitoring developments on the streets, emphasizing that "the situation has come under control." He also affirmed that internet services, curtailed during the unrest, would be restored after coordination with security agencies.

The government has engaged in dialogue with merchants and protest representatives and initiated reforms to address grievances related to price hikes and currency depreciation. Iran has taken a series of actions and measures to respond to the demands of peaceful demonstrators, the foreign minister said.

Earlier on Sunday, Araghchi said that clear evidence links recent riots and vandalism of public facilities in Iran to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. This came after former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo mentioned Mossad agents operating on Iran's streets in a social media post. The Iranian foreign minister asserted that police are being attacked by "terrorists" acting under the direction of Israeli operatives, whom Pompeo publicly acknowledged.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and U.S. sanctions.

Iranian foreign minister says situation "fully under control," accuses Israeli intelligence of stoking unrest