Aoon Sherazi

I’M here in China as part of the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) program, alongside fellow journalists from around the world. We have been traveling, learning, and reporting for over two months now, with 20 more days to go. Each day reveals a new dimension of China’s transformation, but few experiences have matched the impact of our visit to Tianjin Port, arranged under the “China Up Close: Tianjin Tour,” co-hosted by CGTN and Tianjin’s government.

As we stepped out into the rain, the view was nothing short of cinematic. Raindrops tapped gently on solar panels. Wind turbines loomed like watchful giants through the mist. Massive cranes moved with quiet precision, and the air — which in any ordinary industrial zone would reek of fuel — was crisp and fresh. This wasn’t just a port. It was a living statement of what’s possible when ambition aligns with responsibility.

Tianjin Port, once known mainly for its colossal scale — over 121 square kilometers — is now making history as the world’s first zero-carbon port. Over 30 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy power its operations annually, sparing the planet nearly 20,000 tons of carbon emissions every year. Instead of diesel-fueled machines, we saw automated electric cranes and driverless electric trucks moving containers with stunning grace and coordination.

What truly stayed with me was the AI-powered control center, where operators monitor fleets of over 100 self-driving trucks in real time. One operator can guide multiple vehicles from a single desk. It felt like watching a symphony of technology — precise, silent, and deeply efficient.

Tianjin isn’t just transforming one port; it’s offering the world a blueprint. With an annual handling capacity of 22 million TEUs and over 500 million tons of general cargo, it proves that economic ambition and environmental integrity are not mutually exclusive — they can, and must, coexist.

As a Pakistani journalist, I couldn’t help but think of Gwadar Port. While Gwadar continues to develop under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), there is much to learn from Tianjin: not just in terms of infrastructure but in adopting smart logistics, AI-based systems, and a long-term green vision. Gwadar’s potential is immense, and Tianjin offers a roadmap showing that ports can be engines of both progress and preservation.

A heartfelt note of appreciation goes to the CGTN team, whose thoughtful organization and warm hospitality made our visit more than a media tour. Their professionalism, storytelling approach, and genuine openness created a space for real engagement — not just with the infrastructure but with the ideas behind it. They ensured we didn’t just observe; we understood.

The visit also deepened my personal appreciation for China’s approach to development. As someone trained to observe critically, I’ve seen how projects here are not only large-scale and well-planned but executed with clear purpose — blending tradition with futuristic thinking. Whether in transport networks, urban planning, or climate-conscious initiatives, there’s a certain confidence in China’s progress. It is not loud or boastful; it’s methodical, practical, and visible in everyday function. This is something any observer, regardless of background, cannot ignore.

As we left the port, the rain continued — quiet and persistent, like the change happening at Tianjin. Through the misted windows of the bus, I took one last glance at the turbines turning steadily in the distance. It felt symbolic: the rain washing away the past, the port welcoming the future.