China has launched its first grain train service utilizing a multimodal transportation system with just a single bill of lading in northeast China's Jilin Province.
The new transportation method eliminates the need for container changes, significantly lowering the overall costs and enhancing the efficiency of grain transport.
On Thursday, a train carrying 3,000 tons of corn departed from a station in Jilin. It is expected to reach the Yingkou port in neighboring Liaoning Province in 15 hours, where the corn will board a sea freighter bound for the Qinzhou port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Under this new system, the transportation time of the corn will be shortened from 18 days to just 13 days.
"The new system can shorten the overall transportation time by nearly one-third compared with traditional methods. Clients only need to submit an electronic application to access the complete 'door-to-door' logistics service, eliminating the procedures such as repeated communications and multiple settlements in segmented transportation," said Xin Jidong, deputy director of the freight department of China Railway Shenyang Group.
China Railway Corporation began to pilot this new transportation mode on Nov 22, 2024 and has since launched 119 such services.
To further facilitate a smooth and efficient food logistics system, China Railway Group and the country's leading food trader China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (COFCO) signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Beijing on Thursday, aiming to jointly reduce costs and improve efficiency of food transportation.
The agreement will contribute to the safety and stability of the food supply chain by ensuring timely deliveries, thus helping increase income for grain farmers and stabilize China's grain market.
China launches new grain train service
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
