Core Insights - The article highlights the significance of the Three Gorges Project in Yichang, which contributes 10% of China's hydropower generation despite occupying only 0.2% of the country's land area [1][2] - The project has been pivotal in flood control, navigation, power generation, and water resource management since its inception in 1994, showcasing continuous innovation and development [2][3] Group 1: Flood Control and Navigation - The Three Gorges Project has successfully implemented flood control measures, utilizing its capacity to store over 2,300 billion cubic meters of water, equivalent to approximately 16,000 West Lakes, since its operation began in 2003 [2] - In the first three quarters of 2025, the Three Gorges hub facilitated the passage of 32,018 vessels, marking a 4.03% increase year-on-year, and handled over 126 million tons of cargo, reflecting an 11.15% growth [3] Group 2: Power Generation and Environmental Impact - By August 2025, the Three Gorges Power Station is expected to have generated over 18 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, saving 540 million tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1.48 billion tons [2] - The project plays a crucial role in promoting a green transition in economic and social development [2] Group 3: Innovation and Technological Advancements - The Three Gorges Project has achieved over 100 world records and more than 900 patents, demonstrating its commitment to self-innovation and mastery of core technologies [4] - The project features the world's largest and most technologically advanced vertical ship lift, which can elevate vessels up to 113 meters, enhancing navigation efficiency [7] Group 4: Educational and Cultural Impact - The Three Gorges Project Museum, opened in August 2022, serves as a national-level educational platform, attracting over 88,000 visitors during the recent holiday, showcasing the project's achievements and fostering a spirit of innovation and patriotism [8]

Core Insights - The Three Gorges Hub has achieved a cumulative throughput of 128.32 million tons in the first three quarters of 2025, marking an 11.15% year-on-year increase [1] - The Three Gorges Ship Lock has handled over 125 million tons of cargo, reflecting a growth of over 13% compared to the previous year [3] - The Three Gorges Ship Lift has set a record for monthly passenger volume, reaching 86,400 in July, following a planned maintenance period [3] Group 1 - The Three Gorges Hub has facilitated the passage of 32,018 vessels, a 4.03% increase year-on-year, and has supported the transport of 33.30 million tons of essential goods [1] - The Three Gorges Ship Lock has been operational since June 18, 2003, with a cumulative cargo throughput exceeding 2.2 billion tons and annual cargo volumes consistently surpassing 100 million tons for 11 consecutive years [5] - The Three Gorges Ship Lift has been operational since 2016, transporting over 30,000 vessels and 2 million passengers, while also moving more than 19 million tons of goods [5] Group 2 - The Three Gorges Ship Lock and Ship Lift operate in a complementary manner, enhancing shipping efficiency and reducing costs, thereby injecting growth into regional industries [3] - The implementation of an intelligent scheduling system and precise maintenance measures has been crucial in meeting the increasing shipping demands [3] - Future developments include the construction of a digital twin system utilizing IoT and big data for real-time equipment monitoring and predictive maintenance, aiming for smarter operations [5]

Core Insights - The Three Gorges Navigation Management Bureau reported a total throughput of 83.08 million tons in the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 10.4% [1] - The Three Gorges ship lock and ship lift are crucial permanent navigation structures that enhance shipping development and reduce costs, with the ship lock operating 5,205 times and facilitating 19,121 vessels, resulting in a throughput of 81.61 million tons, a 13.52% increase year-on-year [2] - The Three Gorges ship lift transported 289,000 passengers, marking a 17.33% increase compared to the previous year [2] Group 1 - The Three Gorges Navigation Management Bureau effectively managed resources despite lower water inflow, implementing dynamic draft control standards and adjusting shipping plans to enhance navigation efficiency [4] - The bureau conducted 48 safety warnings and implemented temporary traffic control for nearly 225 hours in response to adverse weather conditions, ensuring a stable navigation environment [4] - A comprehensive 24-hour monitoring system was established for vessels passing through the dam, collaborating with local maritime, fire, and police departments for emergency response [4]

Core Insights - In the first half of this year, the Three Gorges Hub has efficiently operated its navigation structures, achieving a cumulative cargo volume exceeding 80 million tons, thereby maximizing the shipping efficiency of the Yangtze River [1] Group 1: Operational Performance - The Three Gorges Ship Lock operated 5,206 times, facilitating 19,125 vessels with a cargo volume of 81.4 million tons [1] - The Three Gorges Ship Lift had 1,790 loaded operations, passing 1,810 vessels and accommodating over 280,000 passengers, with a cargo volume of 758,000 tons [1] - The combined operation of the Three Gorges Ship Lock and Ship Lift has effectively enhanced shipping efficiency [1] Group 2: Technical Specifications - The Three Gorges Ship Lock is recognized as the most complex inland ship lock globally, with the highest total head and inter-stage water head, designed for an annual throughput capacity of 100 million tons [1] - Since its opening to public vessels on June 18, 2003, the cumulative cargo volume through the lock has reached 2.24 billion tons, with annual cargo volumes consistently exceeding 100 million tons for 11 consecutive years and surpassing 150 million tons for the last three years, peaking at 168 million tons [1] Group 3: Economic Impact - The Three Gorges Ship Lift has facilitated over 1.8 million tourists since its trial operation on September 18, 2016, contributing to the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt [1]

Core Insights - The Three Gorges Ship Lock celebrated its 22nd anniversary on June 18, 2023, having opened to navigation in 2003, and has since facilitated over 1.074 million vessels and 22.4 billion tons of cargo [1][2] Group 1: Operational Achievements - The Three Gorges Ship Lock has maintained efficient operations with an annual single-direction capacity of 50 million tons, achieving over 100 million tons in cargo volume for 11 consecutive years and exceeding 150 million tons for the last three years [1] - Cumulatively, the lock has completed 215,000 lockages and transported over 12.29 million passengers [1] Group 2: Innovations and Improvements - To address the mismatch between the design capacity and increasing cargo demand, innovative methods such as the "Luo Jing Staging Method" have been implemented to optimize vessel scheduling [2] - The introduction of "virtual lock chambers" and "synchronous berthing" has significantly improved the space utilization and reduced the time required for each lockage [2] - The annual cargo volume has surged from 34 million tons at inception to a peak of 169 million tons, representing an increase of nearly four times and exceeding the design capacity by approximately 70% [2]

Group 1 - The core theme of the article is the significant advancements in domestic TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) technology, exemplified by the "Tianshan" TBM, which has transitioned from being entirely imported to largely domestically produced during the 14th Five-Year Plan period [1][2] - The "Tianshan" TBM, measuring over 280 meters in length and weighing more than 2,800 tons, is described as a "underground dragon" that can operate continuously like an assembly line, showcasing its efficiency in challenging construction environments [1][2] - The article highlights the importance of advanced geological detection equipment integrated into domestic TBMs, which allows for preemptive geological assessments and enhances operational safety and efficiency [2] Group 2 - The article discusses the challenges of road construction in the harsh climate of the Tibetan Plateau, particularly the issue of permafrost, and the innovative solutions developed by researchers to address these challenges [3] - Techniques such as mixing cement with the "sesame paste" (a metaphor for the soft permafrost) and using pile foundations to support loads directly on the underlying permafrost are highlighted as effective methods for road construction in difficult terrains [3] - The rapid development of waterway transportation, particularly the advancements in the management of the Three Gorges ship lock and elevator, is also emphasized, showcasing the role of technology in enhancing operational efficiency [4][5] Group 3 - The Three Gorges ship lock is noted as the largest continuous ship lock in the world, with significant improvements in maintenance and operational efficiency achieved through innovative technologies [4][5] - The annual throughput of the Three Gorges shipping has reached 169 million tons, exceeding the original design capacity of 100 million tons, indicating the effectiveness of technological advancements in increasing operational capacity [5] - Future plans include the integration of big data and smart technologies to further enhance the efficiency of the Yangtze River shipping operations [5]