The first 38-seat car departs from Mandula Port on Aug 31. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]

Mandula Port in Baotou officially resumed passenger customs clearance, and the first 38-seat car from Mandula Port drove to Mongolia on Aug 31.

In November 2015, The State Council approved Mandula Port as a bilateral perennial highway passenger and cargo transport port. In February 2020, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the port implemented customs clearance measures to stop passenger transport and maintain freight.

Since China renamed the term "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection" and downgraded the management of the disease from category A to category B starting Jan 8, Baotou has formulated the work plan for resuming passenger customs clearance.

On Aug 27, Mandula Port was listed in the fifth batch of border ports to resume the passenger transport function and determined that passenger customs clearance would resume on August 31 after coordination with the Mongolian side.

According to the head of the Baotou commerce bureau, the city will prioritize the advancement of border trade and cultural communication between China and Mongolia. The plan also involves strengthening the port economy and generating fresh opportunities for economic growth upon resuming business.