Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday congratulated Abelardo de la Espriella on his election as president of Colombia.
Noting that China and Colombia are strategic partners, Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 46 years ago, China-Colombia relations have withstood changes in the international landscape and maintained sound momentum for development.
Political mutual trust has continued to deepen, the friendship between the two peoples has grown stronger, and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation has yielded steady new progress, he said.
Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Colombia relations and stands ready to work with President-elect De la Espriella to further deepen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, advance the China-Colombia strategic partnership to a new level, and deliver greater benefits to the two peoples.
Also on Monday, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng sent a congratulatory message to Jose Manuel Restrepo Abondano, vice president-elect of Colombia.
Xi congratulates De la Espriella on election as Colombian president
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched trial operations of its first passenger railway, Etihad Rail, on Tuesday, marking the start of the country's long-planned national passenger rail network, with several Chinese companies participating in the project's construction.
The first section of the rail service links the capital, Abu Dhabi, with the eastern emirate of Fujairah in about 1 hour and 45 minutes, according to Etihad Rail.
Dubai Station and Al Dhaid Station are scheduled to open on September 30, followed by Al Dhafra Station on December 30. The entire route will be completed when Sharjah Station opens on March 30, 2027.
As one of the UAE's largest infrastructure projects in recent years, the Etihad Rail passenger network will eventually connect 11 cities and regions across all seven emirates through 11 stations.
Once fully operational, passenger numbers are projected to reach 36 million by 2030.
The passenger fleet consists of 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers.
Chinese companies, including China Railway International Group Co., Ltd. (CRIG), CRRC Corporation Ltd., Power Construction Corporation of China, and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, have participated in the project.
UAE launches first passenger railway with Chinese firms involved in construction
