Direct train service launched between Urumqi, Hami in China's Xinjiang

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region launched a new bullet train service on Thursday, offering a direct connection between its capital city Urumqi and Hami, another important city in the region.   The service allows passengers to travel between the two cities in just two hours and 29 minutes, a reduction of up to 58 minutes compared with other bullet trains running on the same route.   The direct service is a major step towards improving transportation in Xinjiang, making travel more convenient for local residents. With this new service, Urumqi is now directly connected by train services to seven other key cities within Xinjiang.   Urumqi resident Shao Liping expressed her appreciation for the time-saving benefit of the new service.   "Previously, the trip from Urumqi to Hami took over three hours. But now, I noticed the travel time has been shortened by more than half an hour, and it's only two and a half hours. For people like us who commute to work, this extra half hour is really convenient. In the summer, we'll have time to have a meal and do some sightseeing in Hami. In the winter, the temperature won't be too low and it won't get too dark when we arrive there," said Shao.   Hami resident Zhang Wei also welcomed the new service.   "I hope Xinjiang can introduce more such direct train services, as this would greatly shorten the distance between our living and working areas," said Zhang.   The launch of this new bullet train service is expected to further stimulate local socioeconomic development.

"The launch of this train service enables a direct point-to-point connection between the two cities without any stops along the way. With this, Xinjiang's railway authorities now operate direct train services connecting Urumqi to seven other key cities, including Yining, Bole, Karamay, Kashgar, Aksu, Korla, and Hami. This new service offers local passengers a new travel option and a new experience, while also contributing to the prosperity and development of the local economy," said Yang Li, a staff member of China Railway Urumqi Bureau.

Direct train service launched between Urumqi, Hami in China's Xinjiang

China condemns Israel's military action against Iran and opposes armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, a Chinese envoy said Friday at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

During the IAEA Board of Governors meeting over Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, Li Song, China's permanent representative to the IAEA, said China has always been committed to promoting a peaceful solution to the Iran nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means, and opposes resorting to force and illegal unilateral sanctions.

The country will maintain close communication with all parties and jointly deal with the current urgency at the IAEA Board of Governors, Li said.

Noting that China is seriously concerned about the negative impact of the current conditions on the prospects of diplomatic negotiations, Li urged relevant countries to avoid actions that may worsen the situation and to support the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

He said China will continue to support political and diplomatic efforts around the Iran nuclear issue in a highly responsible, objective, and fair manner, firmly safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism, and uphold peace and stability in the Middle East.

During the meeting, dozens of IAEA member states expressed serious concern about the relevant conditions, and many developing countries strongly condemned Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Citing a number of resolutions adopted by the IAEA General Conference, the parties indicated that attacks or threats of attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities violate the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the IAEA Statute, posing a serious threat to nuclear safety, nuclear security, regional and international peace and security.

The parties emphasized that political and diplomatic approaches are the right option to resolve the Iran nuclear issue, and called on the international community to continue unremitting efforts to this end.

Chinese envoy to IAEA condemns Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear facilities