Guangxi records new high of cross-border trips in 2024

Border crossings in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region recorded a noticeable rise in inspected freight trucks and in inbound and outbound trips in 2024, according to official data.

In 2024, the number of inbound and outbound trips made through Dongxing Port bordering Vietnam increased by 54.6 percent year on year to 8.58 million, the highest since 2019.

Another China-Vietnam border crossing, Youyi Pass, recorded over 500,000 freight truck trips in 2024, up 16 percent year on year to a record high.

To meet the fast-growing border traffic flows, officers at Youyi Pass have enhanced inspection efficiency and the border crossing also opened a new check point to further facilitate cross-border trips.

"Cumulatively, 167,000 inbound trips made by empty vehicles have been recorded since the new check point opened on April 30, 2024. The time that empty vehicles spent on the return trip decreased by about 400 percent year on year. We are working at our best to make sure that all the qualified vehicles are allowed to enter and exit the pass," said Chen Zhijie, deputy head of the duty team at Youyi Pass.

The rise in inbound and outbound trips through Dongxing Port can be partly attributed to the supportive policies and measures rolled out by China's National Immigration Administration with police officers saying that they noticed an increasing influx of tourists and businesspeople.

"We have noticed increasing businesspeople and tourists coming to Dongxing since the Fangchenggang-Dongxing Railway opened and was put into operation one year ago. The rise in inbound and outbound passenger trips was particularly significant. Especially in 2024, the passenger flows through the port had remained at a high level and the Dongxing Border Inspection Station streamlined its inspection procedures, improved the distribution of channels, and better deployed the police force so as to ensure smooth and orderly customs clearance," said Yu Xiaohan, a police officer at the Dongxing Border Inspection Station.

Guangxi records new high of cross-border trips in 2024

Some Iranian citizens are skeptical about the prospects for a lasting peace agreement, after the United States and Iran agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that ended more than 100 days of conflict between the two countries.

Iran, the United States and Pakistan early Monday announced the finalization of the MoU on ending the war in the region on all fronts, including Lebanon. The agreement was signed early Thursday by the Iranian president and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Thursday at a White House briefing that the MoU triggered a 60-day negotiating period that began on Thursday and is due to expire on Aug 17.

On the streets of Tehran, residents expressed mixed reactions towards the MoU, with some voicing wariness based on past experience with negotiations.

"If an agreement is reached and it serves the interests of our country, we support it. However, during the previous two rounds of negotiations we were attacked, and officials must be cautious and take the interests of the Iranian people into account in these talks and agreements, so that they lead to economic prosperity and improved conditions," said Alireza, a Tehran resident.

"We are not at all optimistic about Mr. Trump. During the negotiations, we were attacked twice. I think this time will be the same as before," said Aziz, another Tehran resident.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the region.

Tehran residents express skepticism following signing of Iran-US MoU