Manzhouli trade zone braces for surge in passengers

Russian tourists wait in line for inspection at Mazhouli border station in Hulunbuir, a city in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo/people.com.cn]

According to data from Manzhouli border station station, the number of people passing through the Manzhouli border trade zone had exceeded 55,000 by April 12, a 10-fold increase over the same period last year.

In March, 22,592 people passed through customs, 13.4 times more than the same period last year and the most people ever to pass through the trade zone in a single month.

The Manzhouli border trade zone opened up further in 2016, allowing Russian inhabitants of the border area to pass through Russian border customs and then directly enter the trade zone through a special channel.

Chinese inhabitants of the border area were allowed to enter the trading hall  using their trading cards. They also enjoyed 8,000 yuan ($1192.75) in duty-free goods per person.

Since the beginning of this year, the RMB has fallen against the ruble, and the trade zone has reduced the cost of customs clearance services for Russian tourists -- resulting in a doubling of the number of Russian tourists to the trade zone.

To ensure Russians can clear customs safely and efficiently, Manzhouli station has implemented various measures to improve its service quality and strengthen port management.

A worker at Manzhouli border station checks a man's passport. [Photo/people.com.cn]