The inbound and outbound trips through Urumqi Tianshan International Airport in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region surpassed 251,100 in the first quarter of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 54.5 percent, hitting a record high.

This figure reflects not only the growth in tourist numbers but also the deepening of economic, trade, and people-to-people ties between China and neighboring countries.

The airport administration is working intensively to improve customs clearance efficiency through technological upgrades and streamlined procedures.

"I often go back and forth between China and Pakistan via Urumqi. With the modernization of the airport, customs clearance has become much more convenient thanks to its exceptional digital services," said Wang Yiming, a tourist.

"It's very convenient. We've just arrived. Everything is clearly marked in multiple languages, so it doesn't take much time. The staff are very friendly and helpful, which greatly saves time," said Serazitdinor Ruslan, another tourist.

With the establishment of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone and the continuous enhancement of the Belt and Road core area's functions, Urumqi Port is evolving from a simple corridor economy into a port economy, becoming a key engine driving regional economic and trade cooperation and high-quality development.

"The increase in flights to Central Asia and Europe has improved the efficiency of the transport hub. The sharp rise in the volume of high-value cargo highlights Xinjiang's key role in cross-border supply chains. Looking ahead, we plan to add more routes from Urumqi to Georgia and Armenia to further expand the air network among Belt and Road partners," said Yu Xin, a police officer at the No. 1 team of Urumqi Entry-Exit Border Inspection Station.