BEIJING: A delegation comprising officials and experts from eight countries, including Cuba, Austria, Gambia, Laos and Cote d’Ivoire, praised Tianjin’s efforts in advancing green development, technological innovation and public well-being during a recent visit to the port city.
The four-day visit, aimed at showcasing China’s people-centered development philosophy through a tour of a range of sites including Tianjin Port’s smart terminal, concluded on Wednesday.
The Beijiang port area’s Berth C stands out as the world’s first fully intelligent and carbon-neutral container terminal. Powered entirely by electricity generated through an integrated wind-solar-storage energy system, the terminal has achieved a 100 percent clean power supply and obtained carbon neutrality certification.
Its operations are supported by an integrated 5G and Beidou Satellite Navigation System, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, significantly improving efficiency while reducing emissions.
According to port authorities, the intelligent system has reduced cargo loading and unloading times by 26.2 percent and improved vessel berthing efficiency by 28 percent compared with traditional operations.
For visitors, the terminal offered more than a glimpse of advanced port management. It demonstrated how digital technologies and renewable energy can work together to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining high operational efficiency, an issue many countries are exploring as they pursue sustainable development and green economic growth.
Mohammed B. S. Jallow, vice-president of Gambia, said he was impressed by the terminal’s ability to increase throughput while maintaining zero-emission operations.
“As you can see, there is barely any noise on site. The operational efficiency is truly remarkable. Higher efficiency enables the port to handle more cargo volume, while maintaining zero emissions, which is an incredible achievement,” he said.
Robert Mag Fitzthum, an Austrian author, said, “For a long time, people have pursued economic development while longing for clean rivers and clean surroundings, which are essential for people’s well-being.
“China has achieved remarkable success in balancing sound ecological development and robust economic progress, setting a fine example for sustainable development,” he added.
The delegation also visited the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City in Binhai New Area, where smart governance and green urban planning have been integrated to improve residents’ quality of life.
As the world’s first eco-city jointly developed by two countries, the project was designed to explore sustainable urban development solutions. With more than 12 million square meters of green space and a digital governance platform powered by big data and AI, the eco-city monitors environmental indicators in real time while providing efficient public services.
Visitors learned how pedestrian greenways connect parks, schools, hospitals and residential communities, forming a convenient low-carbon lifestyle network. New facilities including senior universities, community markets and cultural centers have also been introduced to meet residents’ diverse needs.
Christian Arnaud Adjelou, president of the National Human Rights Council of Cote d’Ivoire, said the city’s extensive green space and well-developed public services demonstrated a strong commitment to improving people’s quality of life.
“Every effort made here is geared toward protecting human rights and creating a better living environment for residents,” he said.
Dayron Valido Escalona, a specialist from the human rights group of Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the visits highlighted the close connection between technological innovation, sustainable development and people’s well-being. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
