China's first rail-air freight train to Europe arrived in Urumqi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Monday for cargo transfer, after departing from Guangzhou International Port in the Greater Bay Area on Friday.
The inaugural train carried a range of e-commerce goods, including small appliances, daily chemicals, and apparel, completing a 66-hour journey to Sanping Railway Station in Urumqi. Upon arrival, the cargo was swiftly transferred to Urumqi Airport for airfreight to European destinations.
This innovative logistics model drastically reduces transit times, ensuring goods reach their final destination in under a week, two-thirds faster than traditional all-rail routes, which typically take 15 to 20 days.
"The launch of this train will offer import and export companies a more economical, efficient and flexible transportation option. Unlike road transport, it is unaffected by weather and other factors, improving transportation efficiency by over 15 percent. It is estimated that the logistics costs will be reduced by more than 10 million yuan (about 1.37 million U.S. dollars) each year," said Liu Yang, a logistic service official at Urumqi.
The train meets the urgent order requirements of import and export companies and provides a strong support for the stable supply of goods in cross-border e-commerce.
China's first rail-air freight train to Europe arrives Urumqi for cargo transfer
China's first rail-air freight train to Europe arrives Urumqi for cargo transfer
Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.
Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.
At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.
"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.
With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.
"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.
"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.
With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.
"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
