China's air logistics sector has maintained robust growth this year, with cargo volume surging 11.7 percent year on year in the first quarter to 2.243 million metric tons, according to data released Friday by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP).
The federation attributed the expansion to booming cross-border e-commerce, which accounted for 60 percent of air cargo sources, and an optimized export structure featuring more high-tech products.
"With industrial restructuring, exports of electronic products, biopharmaceuticals and some electronic components are surging. This has created explosive growth for air cargo, especially international air freight services," said Cui Zhongfu, chief economist of the CFLP.
A CFLP forecast report projects that over 80 percent of the respondents remain optimistic about 2025 prospects, expecting China's air cargo growth to outpace global rates.
China's air cargo demand sustains strong growth in Q1: industry data
China's air cargo demand sustains strong growth in Q1: industry data
China's air cargo demand sustains strong growth in Q1: industry data
Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran early Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, senior military leaders and research scientists in a major escalation against Tehran.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement that its jets have completed the first-stage attack, notably strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address that the goal of the ongoing operation is "to strike Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Iran's ballistic missile factories, and Iran's military capabilities," and will continue "for as many days as it takes."
Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Deputy Army Commander Gholam-Ali Rashid were martyred as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported.
The Israeli airstrikes also killed two Iranian nuclear scientists, identified as Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, the report said. However, the Iranian side has denied reports that Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri was killed in the Israeli airstrikes, according to IRNA. A spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces said that Israel, with the support of the United States, launched attacks on many places in Iran, including residential areas, and will pay a "heavy price" for this, and await strong response from the Iranian armed forces.
Explosions were reported in Tehran and counties of Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad, the Iranian state TV reported, adding that multiple casualties, including women and children, were reported in a residential building in Tehran.
Both Israel and Iran closed their airspace following the attack. Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any U.S. assistance or involvement in the "unilateral" attack, adding that Israel had told Washington that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.
Earlier on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a possible "massive conflict" in the Middle East, saying that "I don't want them going in" as a new round of Oman-mediated negotiations between the United States and Iran will be held in Muscat Sunday.
"I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close to an agreement ... As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in because that would blow it," he told reporters in the White House.
Israel launches preemptive strike on Iran, killing military leaders
