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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Ürümqi, November 3 (Xinhua) — Since the visa-free travel agreement between China and Uzbekistan officially came into effect on June 1, the Irkeshtam border crossing point in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) has continued to operate at full capacity. Five months after the agreement was implemented, the crossing point has seen a significant increase in the flow of people and increased trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
Recently, at the security checkpoint, Uzbek travelers, passports in hand, were orderly processed through border control under the supervision of border guards. Meanwhile, more than ten trucks loaded with consumer goods and mechanical equipment awaited inspection before heading to Andijan, Uzbekistan.
As a key hub of the international transport corridor from China to Kyrgyzstan, extending to Uzbekistan, the Irkeshtam checkpoint, with its geographical advantages, has seen renewed development following the implementation of the visa-free regime. According to official data, since the beginning of this year, approximately 14,000 Uzbek citizens have passed through this checkpoint in both directions, almost three times more than the same period last year.
"Transportation time has been significantly reduced now! The 24-hour service has simplified the customs process, ensuring our smooth passage," said Uzbek truck driver Bobir Kenjaev, who regularly travels between China and Uzbekistan.
According to data, since the introduction of the visa-free regime between China and Uzbekistan this year, more than 8,000 Uzbek citizens have crossed the border in both directions through the Irkeshtam checkpoint. Faced with a rapid increase in passenger traffic following the introduction of the visa-free regime, the Irkeshtam checkpoint has proactively implemented appropriate measures, including a smart allocation of checkpoint resources, an increase in the number of inspection channels during peak hours, and an optimized traffic regime with the separation of people and vehicles. This has effectively increased the checkpoint's capacity and ensured a smooth and stable entry and exit process.
"We are closely monitoring the dynamics of border crossings by Uzbek travelers since the introduction of the visa-free regime, and are constantly optimizing the organization of the service and customs control procedures, making every effort to ensure safe, efficient, and unhindered passage for travelers between the two countries in accordance with the mutual visa-free regime agreement," said Irkeshtam border crossing officer Wang Yongyan.
Thanks to 24/7 customs clearance and an intelligent inspection system, the range of goods transported through the Irkeshtam checkpoint has expanded from traditional consumer goods to high-value-added products such as new energy vehicles and mechanical equipment. This corridor, running through China's western outskirts, is becoming an important logistics artery connecting Asian and European markets.
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