International media delegation explore world's first zero-carbon intelligent container terminal in north China's Tianjin

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠As north China's Tianjin Municipality prepares to host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit this year, a global media delegation visited the Tianjin Port to see the world's first Smart Zero-carbon Terminal.

Leveraging its strategic location, the Tianjin Port has focused on facilitating economic ties among SCO member states by enhancing logistics networks, connectivity, and functional synergy -- propelling cooperation to a new level. 

The Tianjin Port Smart Zero-Carbon Terminal, located in the North Jiang Port Area (Section C), commenced operations on October 17, 2021. As the world's first integrated "smart and zero-carbon" container terminal, it was completed in 21 months, overcoming 13 global technical challenges and generating 76 patented innovations. 

The Tianjin Port pioneered the global retrofitting of existing terminal yards with smart technologies, achieving an 88 percent automation rate for large container handling equipment. It has established China's first government-approved port autonomous driving demonstration zone, realizing the world's initial "5G+BeiDou" integrated innovation that delivers all-weather, all-condition, and all-scenario ubiquitous intelligence. 

Aiming to build a world-leading smart and green automated container terminal, this project adopted a "Smart Zero-Carbon" philosophy to design and construct a new-generation terminal. 

"This is the first time I see the wind power and solar energy using in the port. And also automation is really huge in here. You can see a lot of vehicles, [but] there's no driver -- full automation. It is really good for the zero-carbon I think," said Ozgur Altinbaa, Aydınlık Newspaper Chief of Foreign News Service, Türkiye. 

"This is my first time to Tianjin. Very innovative. I've never seen like driverless autonomous cars would be like shipping cargos off.  I've never thought of that. But yeah it is super mind-blowing, super high-tech and I like it," said Isu Tuvshin, staff member from News.mn Agency, Mongolia. 

"I would say the same as well. It is really mind-blowing to actually see the amount of innovation and automation that a single port can have. I mean, literally, this smart technology is everywhere, [which] truly makes it more efficiently and more timely. We were told in introduction that the processing time before was two hours, and now it has been cut down to 10 minutes, which is really remarkable. And this automation can actually improve productivity, in time of shipping and [in terms of] port facilities. So yes, truly remarkable," said Nikhil Kumar, Multimedia Broadcast Journalist of FBC News, Fiji. 

It has integrated multiple cutting-edge technologies with independent Chinese intellectual property rights, achieving the world's most advanced fully automated and intelligent container operations, while maintaining zero carbon emissions throughout terminal operations.

International media delegation explore world's first zero-carbon intelligent container terminal in north China's Tianjin

China closed 2025 with a record of 92 space launches and major breakthroughs were made in manned space launches, deep space exploration and commercial launches, according to the China National Space Administration.

"In 2025, we created a new launch record, sending more than 300 satellites into planned orbits. Both the number of launches and the number of payloads placed in orbit have achieved qualitative leapfrog development," said Zhu Haiyang, an engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

In 2025, the Shenzhou-20 crew spent 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest single mission duration in the history of China's manned space program. Following the Shenzhou-20, the Shenzhou-21 achieved the fastest rendezvous and docking in the history of the Shenzhou mission in just three hours and a half.

Facing an unexpected technical situation with the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, China immediately activated emergency plans. Within 16 days, a series of maneuvers were accomplished including the launch of the Shenzhou-22 backup vehicle, presenting a "textbook model" for the international space community in effectively responding to unexpected emergencies.

In deep space exploration, the Tianwen-2 probe embarked on its journey for China's first asteroid exploration and sample-return mission in 2025.

Last year also saw intensive launch activities from multiple commercial rocket types, injecting strong momentum into the country's commercial space development.

As China has kicked off the first year of its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), a new blueprint for the country's space program is unfolding. Multiple tests are planned in preparation for future lunar exploration, as Chang'e-7 lunar probe is scheduled to be launched for the lunar south pole to search for evidence of water ice. The industry is also preparing for the maiden flights of several new rocket types, which will include the challenges to test rocket recovery and reusability technologies.

China closes 2025 with record 92 space launches