STORY: Border ports in China's Tibet see increasing traffic after operation resumed
DATELINE: Sept. 27, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:31
LOCATION: LHASA, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY  

SHOTLIST: 
1. various of general view of ports
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Nepali): TARDEL, Nepalese citizen
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SUASTAMA, Nepalese citizen
4. various of general view of ports
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RAMESH MAGAR, Nepalese tour guide
6. various of general view of ports
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (Tibetan): SONAM YANGKI, Nepalese shop owner

STORYLINE:

Three Chinese land ports connecting China and Nepal have witnessed steady growth in traffic since they fully resumed operations earlier this year.

Zham port
Tibet, China
   
The Zham port resumed two-way passenger traffic on Sept. 1 after being closed for eight years. It was a major gateway between China and Nepal before 2015, when a mega-earthquake hit Nepal, forcing it to stop service.
   
After the resumption, Nepalese people with border resident certificates are able to purchase daily necessities in the border markets in China.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Nepali): TARDEL, Nepalese citizen   
"After the earthquake led to the closure of the border crossing, we had no choice but to buy things either in Kathmandu or in towns of Nepal, which are far away. And things are expensive there. Now that the border crossing has reopened, it's much more convenient, and I may come more often."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SUASTAMA, Nepalese citizen
"Today I'm here to buy some goods, and some clothes for my children. It's very good news for us, that the border is open. So we are very happy."
   
Managers said the port handles over 700 inbound arrivals, and more than 250 tonnes of goods on a daily basis.

Gyirong port
Tibet, China
   
The Gyirong port fully resumed passenger and cargo services on April 1 this year.
   
As an important port for international tourists to enter Tibet, the port hs seen a growing number of tourists in recent months.
   
SOUNDBITE 3 (English): RAMESH MAGAR, Nepalese tour guide
"There are many tourists from all over the globe. So everyone heads here, comes to visit Lhasa and Mount Kailash. It's been like a very good opportunity for the people, because they can work as a border tour guide and they can visit the new places in China."
   
The port witnesses the transit of more than 80 inbound or outbound vehicles and up to 1,000 border-crossing visits each day.

Burang port
Tibet, China

Burang port resumed two-way passenger clearance on May 1. It neighbors both Nepal and India.
   
The border markets here have attracted hundreds of Nepalese businessmen to open businesses.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Tibetan): SONAM YANGKI, Nepalese shop owner
"I opened this shop in May last year. In the past, we lived a harsh life. Now we can run a business here. I think the (entry-exit) policy is particularly good now, and it is very convenient for people living on the border."
   
Now over 2,000 Nepalese people live in Burang County.
   
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lhasa, China.
(XHTV)