China's inland waterway freight volume exceeded two billion tons in the first five months this year, a year-on-year increase of around four percent, data from the Ministry of Transport shows.
As inland water transport serves as a vital corridor connecting different parts of China, China has been accelerating the construction of inland waterway routes since the beginning of this year.
At the Jingjiang section of the mainstream of the Yangtze River, the longest waterway in China, underwater operations are underway as part of a channel improvement project. The Jingjiang section accounts for only one-eighth of the Yangtze River mainstream's navigable length, but its sharp bends and shallow waters often lead to congestion and limit shipping capacity.
"When the project is completed, the navigable water depth during the dry season in the Jingjiang section will increase from the current 3.5 to 3.8 meters to 4.5 meters. Vessel tonnage will also increase from 3,000 to 5,000 tonnes, greatly unleashing the waterway's potential and reducing the logistics costs of Yangtze River shipping," said Liu Xiaoying, an official from Yangtze Yichang Waterway Engineering Bureau.
For every 0.1-meter increase in this navigable depth, a 5,000-tonne cargo vessel is expected to carry about an additional 150 tons of goods, which will boost profit margins by around 12 percent.
China will increase the mileage of newly upgraded waterways by 900 kilometers by the end of this year, as key projects on the Yangtze River, Xijiang River, and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal are accelerating their progress.
China's inland waterway freight volume hits over 2 bln tons in first 5 months of 2025
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
