Guangzhou’s first mega-diameter shield tunnel, the Haizhuwan Tunnel, opened to traffic Wednesday, marking a major milestone in the city’s infrastructure and enhancing connectivity across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Spanning 4.35 kilometers with six lanes and a designed speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour, the tunnel links downtown area of Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, with Guangzhou South Railway Station, cutting travel time between the two from over 30 minutes to just 15.
Constructed as a twin-tube structure, the tunnel's shield-driven section stretches 2,102 meters, with a maximum excavation diameter of 15.07 meters, making it Guangzhou's first ultra-large-diameter shield tunnel.
The new tunnel is expected to significantly improve traffic efficiency around Guangzhou South Railway Station and further strengthen the city's role as an international transport hub.
It will also inject new momentum into connectivity and coordinated development across the Greater Bay Area.
Guangzhou opens first mega-diameter shield tunnel, boosting connectivity
Iran will deliver a "devastating" response if it comes under military attack, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday, while stressing that Iran has never ruled out diplomacy in dealing with the United States.
Speaking at a press conference in Tehran about the negotiations between Iran and the U.S., Baghaei said that Israel has been deliberately portraying Iran's peaceful nuclear program as a so-called "Iranian nuclear crisis" and plays a destructive role in any potential talks between Iran and the U.S.
Baghaei called on the U.S. to ensure its foreign policy is not influenced by Israel.
"We cannot enter a diplomatic process without considering what has occurred over the past 10 to 15 years, and even the actions of the U.S. over the last seven to eight months. All of these require us to be extremely cautious in any diplomatic process. At the same time, we have repeatedly emphasized that Iran has never shied away from diplomatic channels," said Baghaei.
Responding to the U.S. sanctions and threats, the spokesman blasted the U.S. for being obsessed with using economic means to exert pressure, accusing the U.S. of talking diplomacy while simultaneously intensifying pressure on Iran behind closed doors.
He also reiterated that any military aggression against Iran by the U.S. or Israel would be met with a firm and forceful response.
Iranian public opinion generally views current Iran-U.S. relations as a complex game balancing diplomacy and military pressure. With no concrete solutions yet on core disputes such as missile-related issues, whether the two sides will reach an agreement or slide into confrontation remains to be seen.
Iran warns of 'devastating' response if attacked: spokesman
