Xinjiang to Improve International Road and Air Access in 2023
The Department of Transportation of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has announced plans to enhance international road and air access in 2023. The region aims to improve the level of international road opening to the outside world and complete major highway projects.
According to the department, Xinjiang will complete the G331 line Wulastai to Takshiken Port highway project and the G575 line Laoyemiao Port to Barkol highway project. These projects will improve access conditions for border highways and ports, facilitating increased international road passenger and freight transportation volumes.
Furthermore, China-Europe freight trains have seen improvements in quality and efficiency. Xinjiang has established a green channel for China-Kyrgyzstan-Urumqi road-rail intermodal trains at the China-Europe freight train staging center. The region also operates Central Asia freight trains, ensuring the high quality of multi-line trains departing from Xinjiang.
The China Railway Urumqi Bureau Group Co., Ltd. has reported that the Alashankou and Horgos dual ports will ensure the operation of 14,397 China-Europe trains in 2023, representing an 8.5% year-on-year increase. Additionally, the China-Europe (Central Asia) trains will operate 1,517 trains, a 5.3% year-on-year increase.
In terms of air access, Xinjiang has restored or opened 22 new international and regional passenger routes, covering 16 cities in 13 countries and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Zhang Tingyao, deputy director of the Xinjiang Administration of Civil Aviation Administration of China, has stated that the region will continue to restore, increase the number of flights, and open new international flights in the future.
These developments aim to connect Xinjiang with the huge Eurasian continental market and enhance the region’s position as a key player in international transportation and trade.
This article was reported by Hao Yu and edited by Wu Jiahong.