Global transport resilience requires forward-looking policies and sci-tech innovation: ITF secretary-general

Forward-looking policies and sci-tech-driven innovation are crucial for enhancing global transportation resilience, said Young Tae Kim, Secretary-General of the International Transport Forum (ITF), during the ITF 2025 Summit in Leipzig, Germany, held from May 21–23. 

Kim highlighted unprecedented pressures on the transport system, pointing to threats such as cyberattacks, geopolitical conflicts, and natural disasters. He stressed the need for effective planning to boost resilience against global shocks.

"When we are exposed to the kind of threats, our transport system can easily break down. And once there is something wrong with our infrastructure, and we have to immediately restore it to have an immediate recovery of the system. And then from the planning stage, we can already consider those kind of things," he said.

Kim noted that China's policy continuity and sci-tech innovation in transportation have provided useful experience for promoting sustainable development of the global transport system.

"China has maintained quite a consistent approach. For example, One Belt and One Road. The Chinese government negotiated with many other countries on that route. So I think this kind of efforts that took many years and many decades can really make the system a bit solid and then it makes the system resilient," he said.

"In the case of China, recently, I think that the government and society and academia really cooperated to develop the new technologies in IT. And I think all these efforts combined with government support and also cooperation coming from academia and private sector, and I think it can be really a strong point of Chinese industry and society," Kim continued.

He called for more concerted efforts from ITF members to tackle mounting global issues.

"One country cannot solve any problem, and we are all discussing same questions. So in Africa, in Asia, in Europe, we are discussing decarbonizing transport, and digital issue, and gender issue, and connectivity issues. So I think China and also other members of ITF, they can sit together on this platform of ITF and exchange ideas and develop better policies for future," said Kim.

Global transport resilience requires forward-looking policies and sci-tech innovation: ITF secretary-general

The 2026 Emei Mountain Trail Challenge wrapped up Sunday at Mount Emei in Leshan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The event attracted more than 8,000 trail running enthusiasts and professional athletes from 15 countries and regions, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and India.

For the first time, the event was held over two weekends. The opening week, held from April 18 to 19, featured shorter distances of 8 km, 18 km, 28 km, and 42 km, designed for amateur and intermediate runners. The second week, held from April 25 to 26, catered to elite athletes with more challenging races of 27 km, 50 km, 75 km, and 102 km.

Runners tackled a variety of challenging terrains such as high alpine trails, dense forests, tea plantations, and flatter sections, while passing iconic landmarks.

In the most demanding 102 km challenge, Chinese athletes Yang Jianjian and Zheng Wen claimed the men's and women's titles respectively. In the 75 km event, China's Zhang Hongfu won the men's division, while American runner Ruby Lindquist secured the women's victory.

"It's very beautiful and everyone is so nice. I was so happy to see the people. They made me feel very supportive. And they were very nice and they clapped for me. And I really like that," said Lindquist.

The event, also known as North Face 100 Ultra Trail Mt. Emei Challenge, was staged on Mount Emei, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism.

Trail challengers conquer Mount Emei in Sichuan