Nine trucks arrive in Russia on trial run of new highway connecting China, Mongolia and Russia

Nine trucks participating in a trial run of a new highway connecting China, Mongolia, and Russia successfully arrived at their destination in Russia on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone for the future operation of the highway.

Known as the Fourth Asian Highway, this transportation route is the second of its kind linking the three countries. It spans a distance of 2,253 kilometers, stretching from Urumqi in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to Novosibirsk in Siberia, Russia. While an official opening date has yet to be announced, the completion of this trial run is a promising sign.

The trial operation, which involved officials from the transport departments of all three countries, began in Urumqi on a Friday and concluded in Novosibirsk as scheduled on the following Wednesday. Throughout the process, the participating nations gained valuable insights into infrastructure development, customs clearance procedures, and economic considerations. These insights are expected to facilitate the official opening of the route in the future, thereby accelerating regional social and economic development.

Xuan Dengdian, deputy director of transport services at China's Ministry of Transport, hailed the trial's successful conclusion during the closing ceremony in Russia. He said that this trial operation had deepened the three countries' understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved, contributing to the groundwork for the highway's official opening.

Enkhbat Ochirsuren, an official from Mongolia's Ministry of Road and Transport Development, also commended the trial's completion, recognizing its potential to advance the implementation of the Intergovernmental Agreement on International Road Transport Along the Asian Highway Network.

The new highway is expected to enhance connectivity and trade between China, Mongolia, and Russia, fostering regional cooperation and economic growth in the process.

Li Menghan in Beijing and Lu Rui in Novosibirsk, Russia, contributed to this story.