Air taxis and freight trains
Also: Chinese expansion in Egypt's SCZone, big contract for CHEC in Saudi, coverage of SCO Ministers' Meeting
UAE's Autocraft places 1-bln-USD eVTOL intent order with China's TCab Tech - Xinhua. The UAE has been kicking the tires (?) on different Chinese eVTOL’s for a while now. In May 2024 Autoflight Aviation Technology and EHang Holdings both gave demos and trial flights in the Emirates. It looks like they’re closer to purchase, with a US$1 billion MoU for 350 eVTOLs.
Autocraft from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) maker Shanghai TCab Technology Co., Ltd. here on Wednesday on purchasing 350 E20 eVTOL aircraft worth 1 billion U.S. dollars. This marks China's largest single intent order for eVTOLs to date.
The deal, stemming from a partnership formed at last year's China International Import Expo, positions TCab Tech's self-developed E20 for commercial applications, such as low-altitude tourism and urban air mobility, across the Middle East and North Africa. The five-seat E20 has a 200 km range and a top speed of 320 km/h.
Autocraft cited TCab Tech's technology maturity and safety focus as key reasons for the partnership, which TCab Tech called a "key breakthrough" for its overseas expansion. Deliveries will be batched.
Egypt, China sign deal for flagship industrial zone expansion - China Daily. In the wake of Li Qiang’s Cairo visit last week, another SCZone announcement.
Egypt and China signed on Wednesday a deal for the expansion of the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, with Chinese developer TEDA set to invest $100 million in infrastructure to develop an additional 2.86 square kilometers at the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone).
The deal was signed between the SCZone, the Main Development Company (MDC), and TEDA Egypt in a ceremony attended by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the Egyptian cabinet said in a statement.
The expansion comes as TEDA nears completion of its previously allocated 7.34 square kilometers in Ain Sokhna area at the SCZone, bringing the total area of its industrial zone to more than 10 square kilometers, according to the statement.
On Chinese investment/presence into TEDA:
Established in 2008, the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone has become one of the SCZone's most prominent industrial hubs, having attracted 185 companies and over $3 billion in cumulative investment.
SCZone chairman Waleid Gamal Eldien said that the TEDA expansion "represents a new platform for localizing targeted industries within the zone and contributes to attracting more Chinese companies seeking access to regional and global markets."
He noted that the SCZone has attracted Chinese investments exceeding $4 billion over the past three years, adding that "the mutual trust between both sides and their shared goals pave the way to double this figure in the coming period."
Chinese company wins contract to build Saudi entertainment complex - Xinhua. This seems to build on last year’s announcement of a Diriyah joint venture between China State Construction Engineering Corporation and El Seif Engineering Contracting Co. Ltd. That one was a $2 billion development including educational institutions, cultural venues, modern offices, and a luxury hotel.
Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Company announced Wednesday that it has awarded a contract worth 1.53 billion U.S. dollars to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the construction of the Diriyah Arena block near the Saudi capital Riyadh, which includes a multi-purpose indoor complex, three mixed-use office buildings, and a parking facility.
The Diriyah Arena will have a gross floor area of approximately 74,000 square meters and is designed as a flexible and scalable venue to accommodate various events, including concerts, sporting events, e-sports competitions, exhibitions, and live shows. With a seating capacity of 20,000 spectators, it aims to attract residents and visitors from around the world, the Saudi Diriyah Company said.
Wang Yi Meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi - PRC MOFA. This link is the typically general statement on the visit, with summaries of Wang’s and Araghchi’s talking points, and this statement:
The two sides exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue. Seyed Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Iran has explicitly stated that it will not develop nuclear weapons but will not give up its legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Iran is willing to engage in negotiations and consultations as soon as possible with all parties on the premise of equality and respect, to seek a political solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. Wang Yi said that China consistently opposes the use or threat of force and advocates for resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. China values Iran's commitment to not developing nuclear weapons, respects Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and appreciates Iran's efforts to strive for peace through diplomatic means. China supports Iran in maintaining the momentum of dialogue with all parties and stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in facilitating the settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue and promoting stability in the Middle East region.
China to continue to support Iran in safeguarding sovereignty, dignity: FM - State Council of PRC. Another readout, this one from State Council, with talking points from Wang Yi:
China will continue to support Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity, resisting power politics and bullying, defending its legitimate rights and interests through political negotiation, and adhering to the principle of good-neighborliness and friendship to continuously improve and develop relations with its neighboring countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.
Here’s the coverage CGTN, and here’s from Tehran Times. There isn’t much variation. Tehran Times has this bit from Araghchi:
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed deep appreciation for China’s role as host and its forthright condemnation of Israeli and U.S. violations of Iran’s sovereignty.
He thanked Wang Yi, in his capacity as president of the SCO, for denouncing the aggressions that breached the UN Charter and international law.
"China’s principled and effective positions in international forums, especially at the Security Council, have been invaluable," Araghchi said, specifically citing Beijing’s criticism of the dangerous attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities.
He briefed his Chinese counterpart on the latest developments following Tel Aviv’s aggression against Iran and the subsequent halt in fighting, stressing that the UN Security Council and all nations bear a responsibility to uphold regional and global peace.
Araghchi highlighted the enduring historical ties between the two ancient civilizations, reaffirming Iran’s resolve to advance its comprehensive strategic partnership with China.
He emphasized that this relationship, rooted in mutual respect and trust, remains a cornerstone of Tehran’s foreign policy.
The Iranian top diplomat also underscored Tehran’s commitment to expanding friendly relations across all domains, leveraging the momentum of existing agreements to deepen economic and trade cooperation.
This link from CNN features a couple of comments from me on the visit, many of which explored in my Monday post.
1st freight trains depart from China to Türkiye via Middle Corridor - Daily Sabah. Another Eurasian connectivity project is online, with. freight rail service linking China and Europe via Turkiye’s Middle Corridor.
Two freight trains departed China for Türkiye on July 9, marking the first direct rail shipment under a new regular service connecting the cities of Chongqing and Chengdu with Europe via the Middle Corridor, the Transport and Infrastructure Ministry said earlier this week.
Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said the launch represented a "new era" in the East-West logistics chain, adding: "These trains are the physical manifestations of Türkiye’s vision for logistics on the Middle Corridor."
The trains, each carrying 2,000 metric tons of cargo, have already traveled about 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) within China and crossed into Kazakhstan, according to the minister. The route will continue through Central Asia and the Caspian Sea, entering Türkiye before reaching European destinations.