STORY: Xinjiang land ports play robust role amid efforts to expand opening up
SHOOTING TIME: Earlier footage
DATELINE: Nov. 25, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:23
LOCATION: URUMQI, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of land ports in Xinjiang
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): XIANG YANG, Vice-general manager, Jin Yi Group Horgos
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG GUANGFEI, Deputy head of Bhaktu Port inspection station

STORYLINE:

Xinjiang, a provincial-level region with a large number of land ports in northwest China, is gaining steam in pursuit of economic growth as its land ports register busier trade and handle more travelers.

Amid China's efforts to expand opening up, Xinjiang has been making concrete efforts to improve the efficiency of customs clearance.

In mid-August this year, Horgos became the first road port in Xinjiang to trial 24/7 passage for traded goods.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): XIANG YANG, Vice-general manager, Jin Yi Group Horgos
Since the beginning of this year, our company has been continuously expanding its export volume, with an increasing variety of goods. Currently, we export over 1,000 tonnes of daily necessities and fruits and vegetables every day, using approximately 70 vehicles. The main destinations for our exports are countries participating in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Horgos Customs data shows that in the first three quarters this year, the highway port had recorded about 1.36 million tonnes in terms of its import and export volume of freight, up 115.3 percent year on year.

Other major ports in Xinjiang have also witnessed a surge in trade.

According to Urumqi Customs, the total value of imports and exports in Xinjiang in the first 10 months of 2023 reached 287.33 billion yuan (about 39.67 billion U.S. dollars), a year-on-year increase of 48.9 percent.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG GUANGFEI, Deputy head of Bhaktu Port inspection station
"Currently, we have been rapidly advancing the installation of the fast-track inspection lane at the Bhaktu Port.
The inspection station at the Bhaktu Port has launched efficient service measures such as "green passage," pre-inspection and pre-reporting, and rapid inspection channels. These measures aim to continuously enhance the economic growth of Tacheng region."

Xinjiang took a historic leap recently with the inauguration of a pilot free trade zone (FTZ), China's 22nd pilot FTZ and the first-ever in China's northwestern border regions.

Covering around 180 square km, the pilot FTZ comprises areas in Kashgar prefecture, Urumqi and Horgos, and is expected to contribute to Xinjiang's integration into both domestic and international markets.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Urumqi, China.
(XHTV)