China's Tianjin Municipality has officially put its International Port Economic Cooperation Center into operation to boost trade and collaboration with Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries, with results already showing.
Designed to enhance industrial cooperation, trade, and sectoral exchange between China and SCO countries, the newly launched center offers a range of integrated services such as customs clearance, tailored logistics solutions, and port coordination.
The center currently operates market-oriented service halls tailored to individual member states. The Kazakhstan service hall has already assisted local enterprises with customs clearance for goods entering China. Mongolia's hall is also in operation, while additional service halls for Russia, Cambodia, and other countries are set to follow.
"The center is already delivering results. We've introduced five new enterprises, three projects have taken root, and customs procedures have become more efficient. We've also implemented new policies to speed up the clearance of agricultural and food products," said Zeng Quanyi, director of the Tianjin International Trade and Shipping Service Center.
Scheduled for August 31 and September 1, the SCO Summit will take place in Tianjin, bringing together leaders from over 20 countries and representatives from ten international organizations for a series of high-level events.
Tianjin launches trade hub to boost SCO member state cooperation
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States had "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and that it was "sealed up tight" until such time as Iran was able to make a deal, while Iran had drawn up a target list for retaliation against the United States and its allies.
Trump made the remarks in a social media post, adding that "no ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy."
He also said on Thursday that he has ordered the U.S. Navy "to shoot and kill" any boat putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
There is to be "no hesitation" for U.S. forces to attack Iran's "small boats" putting mines, and the U.S. minesweepers are clearing the Strait of Hormuz right now, Trump said on his Truth Social.
Meanwhile, against the backdrop of diplomatic setbacks and a lack of trust in negotiations, Iran has drawn up a target list, based on the principles of reciprocal response and offensive deterrence, to address potential military actions by the United States and its allies.
Iran has prepared different responses for different scenarios: striking enemy power plants if its own are hit; targeting U.S. allies' energy facilities if its oil and gas sector is attacked, with the aim of cutting global oil output by 25 million barrels a day for one year; hitting AI and IT centers if its officials are assassinated; and launching massive missile and drone strikes against enemy aircraft carriers and helicopters if its territory is violated.
Iran also threatened to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and completely seal the Strait of Hormuz through large-scale mining if a U.S. naval blockade continues or escalates.
Should the U.S. launch a ground invasion using regional bases, Iran said it would coordinate with resistance front forces and local armed groups to capture U.S. soldiers. Surprise attacks on U.S. interests outside the region are also possible.
Trump claims full control of Strait of Hormuz as Iran draws up retaliation target list
