Significant Growth for Cross-border Highway Freight Service in Chongqing, PRC

Cross-border highway freight service in Chongqing, People's Republic of China, grew significantly in the first half of 2021. Data from Chongqing Highway Logistics Base showed that 1,666 trucks transported goods worth about 997 million yuan ($154 million), up 70% and 107% year on year, respectively, from January to June. Chongqing launched its cross-border highway freight service in 2016. This year, it started new highway cross-border freight routes linking the inland city with Vientiane, Lao PDR. The service presently operates nine routes linked to ASEAN countries and Central Asia. Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) temporary entry documents have been issued for motor vehicles on the Chongqing-Vientiane route. This permission allows trucks from the PRC non-stop access to their destinations without having to switch to local trucks at borders. 

The GMS program is helping to expand transport and traffic rights along the GMS Cross Border Transport Facilitation Agreement route network; simplify and modernize customs procedures and border management; and strengthen the capacity of sanitary and phytosanitary agencies in the subregion.