A lorry is queuing for customs clearance at Tan Thanh Border Gate in Lang Son, which borders China. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and China has agreed to reopen more bordercrossings to reduce the large number of container trucks queuing for customsclearance as a result of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak.
A bordercrossing between Mong Cai cityin the northern province of Quang Ninh and Dongxing, China’s Guangxi province hasrestored operation with time for reception of clearance applications extended by one and a half hours until 16:30 (Hanoi time).
Authoritiesfrom the two sides has agreed to only let through goods with contracts,with priority given to agriculturalproducts, such as fruits, fresh seafood, cashew nut and cassava.
The northernprovince of Lai Chau also planned to open the Ma Lu Thung Border Gate, whichsees no backlog at the moment, on February 27.
According tothe Ministry of Industry and Trade, the congestion at border gates in Lang Sonand Lao Cai, which also border with China, has been gradually eased.
In Lang Son’sHuu Nghi Border Gate, 217 trucks loaded with Vietnamese exports of farmproduce, fruits, phone parts and textile and garment have been customs-clearedwhile 292 trucks from China have been passed through to Vietnam so far.
Some 43lorries with Vietnamese fruits like watermelon, dragon fruit, banana and mangohave been cleared through the province’s Tan Thanh Border Gate, the main gatefor exporting fruits to China.
However, about 430 trucks have been stuck atthe two border gates.
As many as 200trucks are also still queuing at the Lao Cai Border Gate in Lao Cai province.
The ministryhas blamed severe lack of stevedores in the Chinese side to help with cargoloading and unloading and the fact that only official-channel exports areallowed to enter China for the backlog./.
VNA
