China's trade with SCO states via Tianjin exceeds 53 billion yuan in seven months

North China's port city Tianjin, which will soon host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) 2025 summit, has seen imports and exports with SCO countries totaling over 53.37 billion yuan (about 7.5 billion in U.S. dollars) in the first seven months of the year, up 5.2 percent year on year.

With the Tianjin Port, which is a global benchmark for smart, green ports and hosts the world's first intelligent zero-carbon terminal, Tianjin has been playing a significant role in facilitating trade between China and SCO member states.

The Tianjin Port boosts high efficiency in routine customs services, thanks to streamlined policies the port rolled out in recent years, including a triple-zero measure (zero waiting time, zero contact and zero delay) which has been introduced to many seaports in the country.

On Sunday, the Malta-flagged container vessel Zim Shanghai eased away from Tianjin Port. During its call, the ship loaded more than 1,600 containers of household appliances, electronic components, steel and chemical products before setting course to ports in India. With the port's fast-track services, the vessel's stay was shortened by one hour, saving nearly 10,000 yuan in berthing costs.

"We now provide 24/7, paperless, all-digital processing of port immigration permits and inspections. Every border-check service can be completed online, saving shipping companies and individuals almost 40,000 hours a year, which translates to roughly 300 million yuan in economic benefits," said Gao Wei, a border-inspection officer.

"Now a quick three seconds face scan authenticates identity and documents. Personnel data and boarding permits are matched automatically. The model of 'data on the move instead of people on the run' delivers truly seamless embarkation and disembarkation," said Li Yang, an operations manager at the Tianjin Port Second Container Terminal.

Over the past few years, Tianjin Port has been striving to build a world-class smart and green port. Its intelligent zero-carbon terminal set a global record for its category in April this year, with an average efficiency of 329 moves per berth hour, and a peak efficiency of 416 moves per hour.

Tianjin will host the 25th SCO Summit from Aug 31 to Sept 1.

China's trade with SCO states via Tianjin exceeds 53 billion yuan in seven months

The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.

The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.

The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.

The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.

The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.

The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.

The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.

Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.

The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.

The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.

ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges

ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges