Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
URUMQI, June 14 (Xinhua) — Trucks loaded with “Made in China” products such as NEV cars, yachts, electromechanical equipment passed through the Irkeshtam port on the China-Kyrgyzstan border in early June, while trucks from Kyrgyzstan also lined up to enter China. Irkeshtam, China’s westernmost land port, has seen booming trade between China and Central Asia.
The Irkeshtam border crossing is located in Ucha County of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Northwest China) and approximately 200 km from Kyrgyzstan’s Osh Region.
According to data as of June 4, since the beginning of 2025, the total volume of passenger traffic through the Irkeshtam checkpoint and the number of vehicles that have passed customs and border checks in both directions at this border crossing amounted to more than 109 thousand person-times and 102 thousand units, respectively, which is approximately 80 percent more in annual terms for both indicators.
“Currently, the efficiency of customs clearance has increased significantly, and the volume of transportation and cargo has also increased,” said Vokibek Ashim, a customs broker who has been working at the Irkeshtam checkpoint for 13 years.
On June 1, the Irkeshtam checkpoint officially launched a trial 24/7 customs clearance regime /24 hours a day, 7 days a week/. Thus, Irkeshtam became the second border checkpoint in Xinjiang to ensure continuous operation in the area of customs clearance of goods, following the Khorgos checkpoint.
This regime has increased the efficiency of customs clearance and reduced costs for local transport companies.
After the continuous operation mode was implemented, the volume of coal imported from Kyrgyzstan increased from “one batch per day” to “three batches in two days,” said Chen Tao, an employee of a local coal transportation company. “The efficiency has improved and the import cost has actually decreased,” he added.
The efficient operation of the checkpoint has brought tangible benefits to both Central Asians and Chinese residents.
“Cross-border transportation makes my life better and better,” said Gao Pengshan, who has been driving trucks with NEVs between China and Uzbekistan for years. And Uzbek driver Sardorbek Khamidov’s monthly income has jumped from more than 3,000 yuan to nearly 10,000 yuan.
“The continuous customs clearance regime gives me confidence in cross-border transportation between Uzbekistan and China,” said Sardorbek Khamidov, adding that it will also allow a greater range of high-quality agricultural products from Uzbekistan to enter the Chinese market.
In the port area, at an altitude of over 2,800 meters above sea level, construction is underway on a new border and customs complex. This state-of-the-art facility, expected to open in 2026, will take customs clearance potential between China and Central Asia to new heights.
“The checkpoint is no longer just a cargo channel. Every truck that passes through the checkpoint is a witness to the aspiration of the people of the two countries for a better life,” said checkpoint employee Irkeshtam Van Ping. -0-