China issues five-year plan to promote modernization of ports

China has unveiled an extensive plan to modernize its ports of entry as part of efforts to further expand openness and promote international cooperation during the current 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), a key blueprint mapping out the country's development priorities for the coming years.

The plan, jointly issued by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) and the National Development and Reform Commission, noted that China will make significant progress in port modernization by 2030, with a more efficient port network, upgraded infrastructure, wider application of smart technologies, smoother cross-border connectivity, stronger governance and more effective security measures.

By 2035, China aims to have basically completed the modernization of its ports of entry, providing strong support for high-quality development and national security.

The plan serves as the blueprint for the country's port development during the present15th Five-Year Plan period, said Zhang Baofeng, deputy head of the GAC, at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhang said China will focus on building ports of entry that are safer, more efficient, smarter, greener and better governed under the rule of law, while meeting a world-class standard.

"We will accelerate the implementation of major border port projects under the 15th Five-Year Plan. At the same time, [we] will ensure the high-quality execution of renovation projects for port facilities at 57 ports as laid out in the plan, and speed up the construction of railway ports including the Torugart Pass (on the border with Kyrgyzstan) and Ganqimaodu port (bordering Mongolia). These efforts will strengthen cross-border communication capabilities along China's southbound, westbound, and northbound corridors. In terms of aviation ports, we will advance the functional segregation of passenger and cargo operations, thereby supporting the growth and consolidation of specialized aviation ports for cargo transport," he said.

Meanwhile, Zhang said customs authorities have incorporated 43 key ports into the "Smart Port Construction Project," stepped up the in-depth application of "AI plus" scenarios at ports, and promoted the integrated development of smart ports with a smart customs system, smart border inspection, and smart maritime affairs, all of which underscores the modernization drive.

China has also initiated the establishment of a national port standardization technical committee which will further oversee these ongoing developments, he said.

"In the first half of this year, the so-called 'port economy' is moving in a positive direction and progressing steadily. For instance, 'bonded refueling' at our ports has seen rapid expansion, with the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port ranking among the world's top three in related business. At the same time, cross-border tourism has sustained its popularity, significantly contributing to local employment and infrastructure upgrading," said Zhang.

China issues five-year plan to promote modernization of ports

Emergency measures are being put in place to help urban areas across China cope with sweltering daytime temperatures as a severe heatwave grips multiple regions of the country, with local community rest stations being set up to shield residents and provide much-needed respite to outdoor workers amid the scorching weather.

Large swathes of the country are baking as the summer heat takes hold. According to the Central Meteorological Observatory of China, eight of the top ten hottest areas nationwide on Wednesday were in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where Turpan and Toksun both recorded temperatures above 44.5 degrees Celsius.

The intense heat is unlikely to let up anytime soon, as Hami Meteorological Station has issued a red alert and is forecasting that temperatures in Hami City will exceed 40 degrees Celsius from Wednesday to Sunday.

In an effort to combat the heatwave, the local sanitation department has deployed multiple sprinkler and spray trucks to cover major roads in downtown Hami to help with dust suppression and road surface cooling, while upping the frequency of operations.

Persistent high temperatures have also affected many areas in the southwestern Sichuan Province, with some weather stations recording maximum highs exceeding 42 degrees Celsius and weather alerts being issued in numerous cities.

In Guang'an City, the mercury had already soared to 38 degrees Celsius by 10:00 Wednesday morning, pointing to a long, hot day ahead.

However, the county has opened nearly 350 'rest stations' to help local people escape the heat. These air-conditioned cooling points, equipped with fans, drinking water, emergency medicines, and seating, provide much-needed rest areas for outdoor workers such as delivery drivers and couriers, as well as to the elderly and other passersby.

"This round of high temperatures is characterized by its long duration, high temperatures, and the oppressive, muggy conditions, impacting outdoor workers and the elderly the most," said Yu Jilin, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group at the Wusheng County Federation of Trade Unions.

In the neighboring Chongqing Municipality, a red alert for high temperatures was issued on the same day.

At the exit of a busy highway in Wuxi County, heat waves shimmered on the road surface amid heavy traffic. Police officers on duty were busy checking vehicles under the scorching sun, focusing on any potential safety hazards in passenger and freight vehicles, while enduring the sizzling weather themselves.

"The main issue is the high temperature -- surface temperatures can reach over 50 degrees Celsius. Whenever we are on duty, the exhaust from passing fuel-powered vehicles feels scorching hot against our bodies," said Lin Xianyong, an auxiliary police officer.

Air-conditioned "rest stations" set up to provide respite as scorching heatwave grips China