"Mohan Port is bustling again, just like it was four years ago," said Mr. Zhang in the waiting hall of Mohan Port, who was preparing to do business in Laos. On July 8th, after six months of comprehensive resumption of customs clearance, Mohan Port reported that a total of 670,000 passengers from 57 countries and regions around the world have entered or exited through the port, recovering over 70% of the number during the same period in 2019, according to the Mohan entry-exit border checkpoint.

As the only national first-class port and the largest national-level port between China and Laos, Mohan Port has become the forefront of China's opening to South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Indochinese Peninsula, following the opening of the China-Laos Railway and the deepening implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. Especially on January 8th this year, the port fully resumed customs clearance and personnel exchanges. The convenience of entry and exit has continued to improve, leading to a sustained increase in the flow of people exiting and entering the port, and the number of third-country nationals traveling through Mohan Port has gradually increased.

As of July 7th this year, the Mohan border checkpoint had inspected 677,873 inbound and outbound passengers and cleared 153,130 inbound and outbound vehicles. Passengers from 57 countries and regions have entered or exited through Mohan Port, recovering to 72.53% of the level during the first half of 2019 before the pandemic, which represents a year-on-year growth of 281.82% compared to 2021 and 392.3% compared to 2022.

"To actively adapt to the needs of China's opening-up and the construction of Mohan International Port City, create a more secure, convenient, and efficient customs clearance environment, Mohan border checkpoint set up special channels for Chinese passengers and train crew members separately to ensure that the waiting time for Chinese citizens during immigration inspection does not exceed 30 minutes. For foreign passengers entering China, entry cards are issued in advance, and guidance posts are set up at the inspection site to provide them with full-process consultation services. We have also strengthened communication and cooperation with port joint-inspection units, related companies and units, maximizing information exchange and resource sharing. A duty operation mode is actively implemented, where two border inspection teams simultaneously handle inbound and outbound inspections to ensure smooth and fast clearance for passengers, vehicles, and goods," according to the relevant person in charge of the Mohan border checkpoint. 

It is understood that to further improve clearance efficiency, Mohan Port has opened four fast channels since May 15th this year. The Mohan border checkpoint has increased the number of police on duty at the fast channels to provide on-site assistance, policy consultation, and problem-handling services for individuals using these channels. Since the opening of the fast channels, a total of 26,930 inbound and outbound passengers have been inspected, accounting for 14.84% of the total number of travelers, ensuring smooth clearance at the port.

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(Editors: Lexi, Ines)