Int’l freight via Yunnan ports soars by 52.6% in five months

A cargo truck passes through the Hekou port. Photo/Yunnan Daily

From January to May this year, the import and export freight volume via the ports in Yunnan province reached 18.73 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 52.6%. The goods value mounted to 92.31 billion yuan, growing by 25.7%.

Yunnan is located at the tri-junction of China, Southeast Asia and South Asia, bordering Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. Equipped with 27 ports and 5 types of parks for opening up, the province has its owns advantages in developing port economy.

Various Southeast Asian fruits are hitting the international market in bulk, and freight trains loaded with Thai durian, mangosteen and others are entering China via Yunnan’s Mohan port, heading for Kunming, Chengdu, Guangzhou and other Chinese cities.

A Vientiane-Kunming direct fruit train reaches the Mohan dry port for clearance. Photo/Yunnan Daily

In the five months, the eight Yunnan cities and prefectures that border ASEAN countries saw their import and export valued at 45.34 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 45.1%. The value accounts for 44.1% of the total foreign trade of Yunnan province in the same period.

AI and digital services have allowed a freight vehicle to finish customs clearance within 4 minutes at Mohan highway port near the China-Laos border and within 10 minutes at Hekou highway gate near the China-Vietnam border, effectively alleviating seasonal congestion.

Aiming to be the Chinese pivot of opening up to South Asia and Southeast Asia, Yunnan province has accelerated port construction, focusing on port-based economic activities. Since the beginning of this year, port economy has emerged as a new growth point in the province.

Reporting by Duan Xiaorui (Yunnan Daily); Trans-editing by Wang Shixue