Cross-border land ports bustling again as restrictions lifted

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Youyiguan is an important exit and entry channel for travelers, and a main land channel from China to member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with frequent exchanges of cross-border personnel and goods taking place at the port.

In 2021, the port's foreign trade continued to grow, as it handled a total of 402,800 inbound and outbound freight trucks and some 4.4 million tons of cargo imports and exports.

Lu Shaoxia, deputy director of the Pingxiang Commerce and Port Administration, said publicity has been stepped up for exit and entry policies to help enterprises, and truck drivers have been told that they need to obtain the necessary exit and entry licenses.

The port has also increased staffing levels, drawn up emergency plans, and made efforts to shorten customs clearance times and improve efficiency, she said.

Wu Xiaohui, Party secretary of Pingxiang, said the signing of a joint statement by China and Vietnam on further strengthening and deepening a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and adjusting customs services at the port offers new opportunities for the city to boost its economic development.

He said that by using its strength in logistics, manufacturing and transportation, Pingxiang will quickly become a land hub and an important area for China's "dual circulation" development paradigm — in which the domestic and international markets complement each other, with the domestic market as the focal point.

The port city of Dongxing, Guangxi, which also borders Vietnam, received hundreds of inbound Chinese travelers when it reopened on Sunday.

One of them, surnamed Liu, said: "I'm thrilled. Now that our country has relaxed its COVID-19 controls, I can return for a family reunion."

The port is preparing for a massive influx of overseas migrant workers returning home for the Spring Festival holiday. The local government is also planning to streamline entry and exit procedures for business travelers and tourists.

In Yunnan province, the port of Ruili, which stands on the China-Myanmar border, also reopened on Sunday. It is one of China's leading ports and the largest land port on this border.

The facility can process a maximum of 82 people simultaneously, and customs clearance can be completed in just 14 seconds.

The local government in Jiegao township, where the port is situated, has made numerous efforts to resume production and daily operations.

Cai Xin, general manager of an e-commerce center for jade in Ruili, said the business experienced great difficulties in the past three years, but it remains fully confident about the city's prospects.

He said the company spent 20 million yuan ($2.95 million) on upgrading its facilities, adding that the reopening of the border is highly significant.

The center, which operates nearly 800 channels on Taobao Live, Alibaba's livestreaming arm, and the short-video platform Kuaishou, ranks in the top three for business on both platforms' jewelry sections, he said.

"With the port reopening, we expect to see large numbers of people arriving in Ruili, and more products entering the city. By using livestreaming, we are helping to build Ruili into the capital of jade."