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Manzhouli to start year-round int'l air transport services

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-19 16:46

Manzhouli, China's leading inland port on the northern border near Russia, will start year-round international air transport services in late August, an official said on Thursday.

The initial aim of cargo transport for Xijiao airport in Manzhouli, northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, would be 1 million tonnes, said Zhang Ke, the Manzhouli Port Administration Commission's chief.

When it was put into use at the end of 2004, the airport initially handled slightly more than 10 domestic flight routes. The following year, it opened temporary flights to the eastern Russian cities of Irkutsk and Chita between July and September.

Since then, the airport has handled 8,000 to 10,000 passengers and 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes of cargo from each year's temporary opening to international flights.

After the opening of year-round international air transport services, the land port will have customs services covering highways, rail and international flight channels.

"The multiple customs channels will undoubtedly add new vigor to China's foreign trade, especially to the China-Russia trade," Zhang said.

The Manzhouli port trade volume accounts for about 13 percent of the country's total border trade with its neighbors. It bears 65 percent of China-Russia trade via land transport.

According to the port's chief, the launch of flights between Manzhouli and Moscow, St. Petersburg and Ulan Bator, were also under discussion.