The China Railway Urumqi Group says data to May 9 shows more than 3,000 trains crossed the Alataw Pass, 19 days earlier than in 2025. The Alataw Pass in northwest China’s Xinjiang region is a hub for the China-Europe Railway Express. Forty-one per-cent of trains passing through Alataw so far this year were bound for, or originated in Russia. Beijing says this underscores the railway’s central role in China-Russia trade. China exports high-value goods, including new energy vehicles, machinery and electronics to Russia and imports Russian industrial raw materials and food products. Smart and streamlined customs clearance have cut inspection times by 70 percent.
ZHANG BIN Assistant Engineer, Technology Section China Railway Urumqi Group Co., Ltd. «By proactively coordinating with customs, we have improved inspection and transshipment efficiency. Using the broad-gauge dedicated line, we enable ’one-time reloading in China and direct broad-gauge access to Russia,’ saving three hours in customs clearance per trip and reducing reloading time by over 20%.»
ERKIN TUNIYAZ Chairman of the People’s Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region «Leveraging its westward-facing geographic advantage, Xinjiang will build smart port demonstrations, optimize its export logistics circle, accelerate outbound freight, and better serve the national westward opening-up strategy.»
