Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge enters new marine construction phase

The Xiamen section of the Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge has entered a new phase of marine intelligent assembly construction, marked by the completion of the first precast pier lifting operation in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.

The Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge (Xiamen section) spans 17.34 km, with a total of 85 piers, and is designed to link the Xiamen island with the Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport that is currently under construction.

The first precast pier lifted measures 18 meters in length, 13.8 meters in width, and 13.4 meters in height, weighing around 3,000 tons. 

During the lifting process, the construction unit utilized an intelligent positioning system for the extra-large precast pier, upgrading traditional manual operations to a "digital brain on the sea" that automatically corrects deviations, achieving "one-time lifting, precise placement".

"Through AI, the measured data is transmitted to the computer, and then sent to the control cabinet of our positioning system via the computer's wireless terminal, and then the unmanned operation is carried out to meet the precise positioning of the jack under unmanned operation, which can achieve millimeter-level control. This also reduces the risk of personnel operating on this equipment, which is safe and efficient,"said Deng Yuxin, deputy production manager of Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge’s A2 section at CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company.

With a total investment of 37.27 billion yuan (about 5.15 billion U.S. dollars), the Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge (Xiamen section) will become the most efficient connection between the Xiamen island and the Xiang'an Airport. Once completed, it will ease traffic congestion and greatly enhance transport efficiency in the region. 

The Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge (Xiamen section) started construction in October 2023, and is expected to be completed simultaneously with the Xiang'an Airport Expressway in 2026. 

Kinmen is an important hub for interaction across the Taiwan Strait. Growing trade and commercial links between Kinmen and Xiamen have made the building of the bridge a common desire of many people in the region.

Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge enters new marine construction phase

Airports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) partially resumed flight operations on Sunday, following disruptions caused by recent regional tensions.

Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) have resumed limited operations, while airports in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah are also operating a reduced number of flights. Access to terminals is restricted to passengers with confirmed bookings, according to airport authorities.

Major UAE carriers, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia, have resumed a limited number of flights and advised passengers to check flight statuses, as schedules remain subject to change.

On Saturday, flight operations at several UAE airports were temporarily suspended due to regional security concerns but gradually resumed later in the day.

Earlier that day, air raid sirens sounded several times at Dubai International Airport as the UAE Ministry of Defense reported intercepting missiles and drones fired from Iran.

Eyewitnesses told China Media Group (CMG) that explosions were heard near Dubai International Airport on Saturday morning, with smoke rising into the air. Passengers were evacuated to underground shelters, and check-in procedures were suspended until operations gradually resumed around midday.

The Chinese Consulate General in Dubai confirmed that several airlines, including Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Emirates, are preparing to resume flights between Dubai and cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, to assist stranded passengers. Several confirmed flights are scheduled to operate on Sunday.

UAE airports resume partial operations as airlines restore services