More than six million people have checked in and out of the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center this year as of Friday, a 75 percent increase from the same period last year, according to data from the Center.
Located in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center serves as a vital hub for trade and tourism between China and Kazakhstan.
The mutual visa exemption agreement between the two countries took effect on Nov. 10, 2023, allowing nationals from each country to stay in the other for up to 30 days per entry, with a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
Twelve manual inspection channels and ten express lanes at the Center are open daily to accommodate the peak passenger flow that begins early each morning.
Data from the Horgos entry-exit border checkpoint shows that the Cooperation Center sees an average daily traffic of over 20,000 people, with peak single-day numbers reaching as high as 37,000.
Home to over 200 duty-free shops, the Cooperation Center offers a vast selection of products across tens of thousands of categories, from handicrafts and clothing to specialty foods and high-tech items.
As the largest duty-free shopping zone in western China, it also stands as the world’s first cross-border free trade and investment cooperation zone.
Thanks to the Cooperation Center's preferential policies, prices in these duty-free shops are lower than elsewhere, attracting many tourists.
China-Kazakhstan border gate sees 75 pct annual increase in passenger traffic
Romania's Constitutional Court has rejected a petition by presidential candidate Cristian Terhes to annul the results of the first round of the presidential election, paving the way for a potential second-round vote next Sunday.
The decision comes amid heightened political tensions, with results from Sunday's parliamentary elections revealing no clear majority for any party, further complicating the country's political landscape.
The Constitutional Court is expected to deliver a final ruling on Tuesday, which will determine whether the second round of the presidential election proceeds as planned. If confirmed, the runoff is likely to deepen Romania's already pronounced political divisions.
Despite failing to secure first place in the parliamentary elections, there was optimism at the headquarters of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), where supporters celebrated what leader George Simion called a "vindication" and a "victory for the right." Simion's party has gained significant momentum, reflecting growing disenchantment with Romania's traditional political establishment.
Meanwhile, the mood was more subdued at the headquarters of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD). Leaders acknowledged the challenges ahead, with the party facing difficulty forming a new coalition government without making significant policy concessions. Negotiations are expected to be arduous and could prolong the political uncertainty.
For supporters of the progressive Save Romania Union (USR), the timing of the elections has been a source of frustration. Romania's decision to hold parliamentary elections between the two rounds of the presidential vote has drawn criticism for creating confusion and limiting the time for proper debate.
"I think it was a bad experiment from the side of the government to hold parliamentary elections between the two rounds of the presidential elections, because it creates a lot of confusion and chaos and parliamentary elections deserve much more debate," said Alina Girbea, a USR supporter.
The USR's candidate is seen as particularly vulnerable to voter fatigue, with some fearing that holding three elections in two weeks may hurt turnout among their base.
The parliamentary vote also underscored the growing influence of far-right and nationalist rhetoric in Romania. Calin Gorgescu, a candidate known for his anti-NATO and anti-EU stance, performed strongly, with more than 2 million Romanians voting for far-right candidates.
Political consultant Raul Olajos sees this as a reflection of deep dissatisfaction with establishment parties.
"We have to recognize that more than 2 million Romanians voted for a far-right candidate who has a strong popular support. After all, the reality is that (many) Romanians are not satisfied at all with the traditional establishment Romanian parties," he said.
As Romania heads toward a likely second round of the presidential election, the political landscape remains fractured. The results of both the parliamentary and presidential votes highlight the country's deep divides, with no easy path to consensus.
The next week will be pivotal for Romania's future, as the Constitutional Court's final decision and subsequent coalition talks could shape the nation's political direction for years to come.
Romania faces political uncertainty as court rejects presidential candidate’s petition
