The open-water passenger ferry services between Heihe in northeast China and Blagoveshchensk in Russia officially resumed on Wednesday, marking the end of the seasonal hovercraft operations during the spring period when ice on the Heilongjiang River, also known as the Amur River, melts away.
On the first day of services, China and Russia each deployed a passenger vessel, with each ship capable of carrying 240 passengers, ten times the capacity of the hovercrafts used earlier in the season, ensuring sufficient transport capacity.
As the summer tourism season approaches, the ferry service is set to play a key role in strengthening China-Russia regional ties and cross-border tourism.
China-Russia open-water ferry service resumes for 2025 season
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari visited Changsha City in central China's Hunan Province on Sunday and Monday, with a strong focus on boosting bilateral economic and trade ties.
Zardari arrived in China on Saturday for a week-long trip through May 1, with stops in Hunan and Hainan Province in south China.
On Sunday, the Pakistani president visited major companies, including the heavy equipment manufacturing company SANY Group and Hunan Tea Group, looking to expand cooperation in infrastructure and agriculture.
At SANY, Zardari was shown unmanned counterbalanced forklifts and other high-tech equipment.
At Hunan Tea Group, he alluded to the shared tea culture between the two countries and called for closer cooperation to support Pakistan's agricultural modernization.
The Pakistani president also awarded the Sitara-i-Pakistan, a high-level civil award in Pakistan, to Chinese doctor Pan Xiangbin, who led his team to perform life-saving heart surgeries on Pakistani children in 2025.
Also on Sunday, Zardari witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding between China and Pakistan, covering areas including seawater desalination, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.
On Monday, Zardari traveled to Shaoshan, the hometown of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, where he laid a wreath and visited Mao's memorial hall and former residence.
Zardari's China trip takes place as the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
Pakistani president visits China's Hunan, eyeing closer bilateral ties
