General

"It is suggested to set up an air port at Hongqilapu Airport in Tashkergan County, Xinjiang, to promote the development of international trade and economy in border areas and ethnic areas.

Tashkurgan County, the hometown of Doletiman Kamik, is located in the southwest of Xinjiang and is rich in mineral and plant resources. At present, there are two land ports in the county, namely Hongqirapu Port and Karasu Port. Hongqirapu Port is adjacent to Pakistan, and Karasu Port is the land port between China and Tajikistan. "Hongqilapu Port is more than 4700 meters above sea level, and Kalasu Port is more than 4300 meters above sea level. The conditions are extremely difficult due to high cold and hypoxia. Hongqilapu Port is a seasonal trading port, which is only open seasonally. It is cold and snowy in winter, and vehicles cannot enter and leave the port. The trade volume and cargo volume are small. However, Kalasu Port has a small area of operation site, and its overall development is limited." Doletiman Kamik said.

"I often go to the frontline of the border, sometimes I go to the Hongqilapu port to visit the border guards and preach some policies. I go through the Karasu port to be on duty every month. Sometimes I stay for 15 days to return, sometimes I stay for a month to return. So I am familiar with the situation of these border ports." Doletiman Kamik told the China Trade News, "In winter, it is not only difficult for trucks to pass here, but also difficult for us to pass through the snowy weather when we set out from the county seat to the place where we are on duty. The local road conditions are greatly affected by the snow. The mountain is high, the wind is blowing and the snow is covered, and the car can not pass through, and the road needs to be repaired continuously. The repaired road needs to be repaired again when it meets the snow and wind."

Fortunately, the road conditions here are good in other seasons. In recent years, with the advancement of the "the Belt and Road" construction and the improvement of border transportation infrastructure, Tashkurgan County has also benefited significantly. Doletiman Kamik said that in Tashkurgan County, there are asphalt roads from the village door to the county and even to the border, and most areas can be covered, which makes the flow of people and goods more convenient. In particular, on December 23, 2022, the first plateau airport in Xinjiang - Tashkurgan Hongqilapu Airport was officially opened to traffic, giving Tashkurgan County more room for the development of export-oriented economy. Hongqirapu Airport is only 13 kilometers away from Tashkurgan County, with complete living facilities and relatively suitable living conditions. It is estimated that the annual passenger capacity will reach 160000 and the cargo throughput will reach 400 tons,

Doretiman Kamik said, "I propose to set up an air port at Hongqilafu Airport this time, implement development and construction, and accelerate the pace of construction of this air port." In his view, Tashkurgan County is the forefront of fast connection with the "the Belt and Road". If the Hongqilafu Airport in Tashkurgan County is built as an air port, then Tashkurgan County will have three ports, which can give full play to the port function, Promoting the development of the port economic belt has far-reaching significance for promoting the economic development of the whole Xinjiang, strengthening the international trade and economic cooperation with neighboring countries, and enhancing the comprehensive competitiveness.

If this proposal can be realized, the local government can also import and export goods through international trade at the nearest air port to reduce the restrictions caused by adverse natural conditions. The original situation of small amount of goods transported by land, long time consuming and poor effect is expected to improve, the timeliness of goods circulation will be improved, and the enthusiasm of truck traffic will be higher. This will help transform the regional advantages, resources advantages, cultural advantages and policy advantages of Tashkurgan County into economic advantages.

He also told the reporter that at present, Tashkurgan County has successfully built a regional tourism demonstration zone, and is building a high-level border opening platform integrating international trade, processing and manufacturing, production services, and material procurement along the border, relying on the Hongqilapu Port and the China-Pakistan Border Trade Zone. A few days ago, the Tashkurgan border economic cooperation zone has been submitted to the State Council for approval. The local government is speeding up the port logistics and industrial layout, improving the infrastructure construction of Hongqilapu Port and Karasu Port, equipped with advanced customs clearance, inspection and quarantine, and warehousing facilities, striving to build Karasu Port as a smart port, providing more safe and efficient guarantee for the entry and exit of Chinese people and international trade, and achieving the goal of "five types" port construction with high quality. At the same time, we will strengthen the construction of border channels at Pakistani ports and Tajik ports and the construction of infrastructure at other ports.