High-speed railway passengers in China can now travel with their pets starting Thursday, thanks to a pilot program launched by the country's railway operator.
The program, launched by China Railway Express on Tuesday, allows passengers and their furry companions to travel together on select high-speed trains along the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, creating a record for the country's rail system.
The first train allowing the pet-friendly service departed from Beijing South Railway Station at 09:24 on Thursday.
The pilot service is being tested on 10 train services running between five major stations, namely, Beijing South, Jinan West, Nanjing South, Shanghai Hongqiao, and Hangzhou East. Travelers can make reservations through the 12306 system, the railway ticket and service booking network, at least two days in advance.
The pet must be a domesticated cat or dog in good health, weighing no more than 15 kilograms and no taller than 40 centimeters at the shoulder. A valid animal health certificate is required for the owner to access the service.
The pet owner needs to book a spot for their cat or dog in a specially designed pet transport container equipped with sensors monitoring air circulation, oxygen, humidity, noise and odor.
Once on board, the animal is kept separately in a designated compartment, away from passenger seating areas.
"During the journey, our staff keep an eye on the animal through the monitoring system in the special pet container and conduct an inspection every two hours. We provide water to the pet as needed, but feeding is not permitted mid-journey," said Zhang Lei, a China Railway Express staff member, in an interview with China Central Television.
The service follows a "same departure, same arrival" policy, ensuring that pets and their owners depart and arrive at their destinations simultaneously.
Passengers are advised to arrive at the station a few hours before departure to complete the necessary check-in procedures. Pets can be collected within one hour after arrival, with pickup notifications sent via text message or phone call.
According to China Railway Express, the service is part of broader efforts to modernize the country's transportation infrastructure and meet the growing demand for pet-friendly travel options.
First high-speed train allows pets to travel with owners
Yemen's transport ministry on Thursday rejected new Saudi-imposed flight restrictions, calling a requirement for planes to stop in Saudi Arabia for security inspections an "air blockade" that undermines national sovereignty.
Officials loyal to the secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC) have refused to comply with the new protocols ordered by Yemen's Saudi-backed central government, and have partially halted operations in Aden International Airport, the country's primary gateway, a source within the Yemeni government told China's Xinhua News Agency.
The standoff is the latest sign of a deepening fracture within the coalition fighting the Houthi group. While the STC is technically part of Yemen's ruling Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), the group seeks independence for southern Yemen and is frequently at odds with the internationally recognized government.
Saudi Arabia recently ordered all international flights departing and entering Yemen to undergo security screenings at Jeddah Airport before continuing to their final destinations. While some of those restrictions were later eased, they remain in place for all flights traveling to and from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is allegedly the main backer of STC.
Government officials said the measures are intended to curb the movement of STC leaders between Yemen and the UAE, effectively cutting off external support for the secessionist movement.
Tensions between the factions escalated this week after the STC seized large swathes of the oil-rich Hadramout province and the eastern province of Al-Mahrah. Riyadh considers these areas a "red line" due to their proximity to the Saudi border and their concentration of Yemen's remaining energy reserves.
On Tuesday, a Saudi-led coalition airstrike targeted vehicles at the port of Mukalla in Hadramout. Saudi officials said the vehicles were intended for STC forces. Following the strike, PLC Chairman Rashad al-Alimi canceled a joint defense agreement with the UAE and ordered all Emirati forces to leave the country within 24 hours. The UAE confirmed Thursday it has begun withdrawing its remaining troops from Hadramout, citing safety concerns.
The STC commands significant control over Aden and other southern cities. Several cabinet members, including Transport Minister Abdulsalam Saleh Humaid, are loyal to the STC rather than the central leadership.
Aden's pro-separatist officials reject Saudi flight restrictions, partially halt airport operations
Aden's pro-separatist officials reject Saudi flight restrictions, partially halt airport operations
