Cross-border travel at the Mohan port, a key hub along the China-Laos border in southwest China's Yunnan Province, has surged by 24% this year for passengers from ASEAN member countries, signaling deepening regional connectivity. Authorities reported over 415,000 ASEAN-related entries and exits as of Tuesday, accounting for nearly half of the port's total international passenger traffic.
Travelers from Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia topped the list, with tourism, family visits, and business activities driving the uptick. The port has processed 920,000 total inbound and outbound passengers in 2024—an 11.8% year-on-year increase—underscoring its strategic role in facilitating regional exchanges.
"The growth reflects expanding economic cooperation and cultural ties between the Chinese mainland and ASEAN," said a port official, citing streamlined visa policies and infrastructure upgrades along the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Analysts note the port’s performance aligns with broader efforts to strengthen cross-border supply chains and people-to-people exchanges under the China-ASEAN free trade framework.
