LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- A ship carrying around 80 Chinese citizens and their foreign family members arrived safely at the Port of Limassol, Cyprus, early on Tuesday. This was part of an ongoing evacuation operation as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, particularly affecting Lebanon.
The vessel, the "Xin Xiamen," owned by China COSCO Shipping Corporation, departed Lebanon just after midnight on Monday, navigating turbulent conditions in a 13-hour journey to reach safety. The Chinese Embassy in Cyprus set up a dedicated service desk at Limassol Port, ready to assist evacuees with processing documentation and providing immediate support.
For Liu Yantao, the Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus, the operation's success is a result of China's swift response and close coordination. "The Chinese government has made every effort to overcome various difficulties and create conditions to ensure the safe evacuation of the citizens," Liu said.
This evacuation comes amid a backdrop of growing unrest in the Middle East. Regional tensions have led many international airlines to suspend flights, and nearly 80 flights to Middle Eastern airports were recently diverted. The Iranian missile attack against Israel further led to a partial closure of airspace and a rerouting of flights to airports in safer locations, such as Cyprus. At least 11 planes originally bound for Beirut or Tel Aviv were redirected overnight to Larnaca airport.
Upon arrival, evacuees saw the Chinese flag prominently displayed at the waiting hall of Limassol Port. The sight of the national flag was a powerful moment for many of them, underscoring the sense of safety and national pride during their time of need.
Guo Jia, an engineer with the China State Construction Engineering Corporation, was among those evacuated. He had been working on the China-aided Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music project before Lebanon's security situation deteriorated. Guo and his colleagues led 23 construction workers to safety in Cyprus, completing what was an intense and uncertain journey.
"Evacuation routes in Lebanon had essentially been cut off. Nearly all airlines had stopped flying in and out, and the borders with Syria were closed," Guo recalled with a sense of lingering fear. "If it weren't for the timely help from the Chinese Embassy, we wouldn't have known how to safely bring our workers out."
Amid the crowd, Guangdong-born Lin Qun, a long-time Chinese resident of Lebanon, worked as a volunteer to aid the evacuation. She described the evacuation process as "tense and exhausting." Lin received the evacuation notice at 3 a.m. and by 6 a.m. was already on her way to help others embark on their journey. She noted that during those critical hours, embassy staff had to gather and verify information and issue documentation -- a process requiring immense focus and resilience. "The embassy staff barely rested over the past three days," Lin said.
Among those evacuated were also some foreign family members of Chinese citizens. Mounir Mohamad Hassan, one of the foreign nationals who had lived in Lebanon for years, expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to escape with his family. "The Chinese government evacuated us from war-torn Lebanon to Cyprus. I am truly thankful," Hassan shared, adding that he plans to live in China for a while with his family.
The significance of the successful evacuation coincided with China's National Day on Oct. 1. A young couple, Hu Bozhi and Bi Beibei, standing side by side at the port, reflected on their experience: "Today is National Day, and it's especially meaningful for us. This experience has deepened our understanding that the strength of our country is our backbone, and its care is our confidence."
As the sun shone brightly through the waiting hall's windows, children played with toys, their laughter bringing a moment of normalcy to a harrowing journey. For the first group of evacuees, the worry and exhaustion on their faces began to ease as they settled into the relative safety of Cyprus, and later back home.
