PINGXIANG (China), June 17 – China is investing more than 1.7 billion yuan to upgrade logistics and customs infrastructure at the Pingxiang Integrated Free Trade Zone along its border with Vietnam, to support growing cross-border trade activity.
The upgrade, which includes the Smart Port Project and the Puzhai Smart Port Project, is designed at improving customs clearance efficiency and supporting expanding trade flows between China, Vietnam and the wider ASEAN region.
Officials said cargo traffic through the border crossing has surged in recent in recent years, placing increasing pressure on its existing customs clearance facilities.
“The border crossing currently handles around 1,600 import and export vehicles daily, while peak traffic exceeds 2,000 vehicles, significantly surpassing its effective clearance capacity of 800 vehicles per day,” Deng Junrong, Head of Engineering Project Department at Xiangfa Company told reporters during the delegation’s visit to the port on Monday.
The company is involved in the development and technological upgrading of the Pingxiang FTZ.
He said to cope with the increasing traffic, authorities are developing smart logistics facilities that include automated customs systems, digital clearance platforms and 24-hour operations.
The project is expected to accelerate customs clearance and reduce the time taken to move goods across the border.
Deng highlighted that one of the the system’s key features allows Chinese truck drivers to complete deliveries without entering Vietnam.
During the visit, members of the media delegation were also shown autonomous freight vehicles operating within the smart port area.
“The upgraded facilities are expected to provide 24-hour customs clearance services and enable goods to be transported between the border zone and industrial parks in Nanning and northern Vietnam within a day,” he added.
Established in 2009 and commencing operations in 2011, the Pingxiang Integrated Free Trade Zone was China’s first integrated free trade zone situated along a land border.
Today, the zone serves as an important gateway for trade between China and Vietnam, with goods destined for ASEAN markets passing through the border hub.
