The cross-border trade zone for border residents in Horgos City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, registered a record-breaking trade performance in January 2026, official data shows.
In January, the trade zone achieved its highest monthly performance since its establishment, with total trade surpassing 30.76 million yuan (about 4.5 million U.S. dollars) and goods transactions reaching 2,865 tonnes.
The trade zone is often bustling with activity, where local residents in the border area now can complete the entire trade process, from order declaration to payment settlement, much more efficiently using facial recognition and mobile applications.
"This year, settlement speed has noticeably improved. I finished trading and payment in less than 10 minutes. There are also more products to choose from. I've heard that processing facilities will be built here soon, which might even allow us to work closer to home," said Li Juan, a resident.
The efficiency boost is partly attributed to innovative cooperative models. One such cooperative has integrated resources from individual border traders and coordinated logistics and customs clearance, helping over 600 border residents complete transactions in January alone. The average household income increased by 18 percent year on year, effectively addressing the challenges of small-scale, scattered trading operations and serving as a key link between policy implementation and the benefits reaching local residents.
"This year, we've adopted a 'joint household operation' model, grouping scattered border residents geographically, with two liaison officers assigned to each group and alternating their shifts to ensure year-round order tracking and paperwork handling," said Li Wenting, head of the cooperative.
The border trade zone in Horgos, a vital gateway connecting Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe, has leveraged digital platforms to streamline trade processes.
"We have continuously optimized the 'border trade + cooperative + border residents + business entities' model. With declaration procedures simplified and digital platforms improved, trade has become smoother and more efficient. January alone witnessed a total of 3,989 trade transactions concluded, adding a total of 307,700 yuan to border residents' income," said Akper Tusbek, director of the operation and management company of the trade zone.
Trade in Xinjiang border zone hits record monthly high in January
