By Lanting Liu
On October 1, 2024, a group of 69 Chinese expatriates, along with their foreign family members, successfully evacuated from Lebanon, arriving at the new port of Limassol in Cyprus by the vessel XIN XIA MEN. In total, 80 individuals were part of this operation.
The Chinese Embassy in Cyprus played a crucial role in facilitating the entry of these expatriates and their families by assisting them in the application process for entry visas.
In light of the escalating tensions in the Middle East, numerous airlines have consistently canceled flights, and land borders have been closed, making it increasingly difficult for Chinese expatriates in Lebanon to leave the country. This evacuation operation has significantly eased their travel challenges.
A Lebanese expatriate present at the port shared her experience with the Cyprus Mail, stating that she had booked a flight on September 21 but faced repeated cancellations. Upon receiving the evacuation notice on September 30, she promptly reached out to the embassy to join the evacuation team.
