The launching ceremony of the International Road Transport in the Greater Mekong Subregion was held at the Nanning Comprehensive Bonded Zone in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on May 28, marking a key milestone in the development of cross-border transportation cooperation between China and countries from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

The launching ceremony is sponsored by China's Ministry of Transport and is attended by government officials and enterprise representatives from China, Laos, and Vietnam. [Photo by Yang Zhixiong/chinanews.com]

The international road transport cooperation, running on the basis of the Agreement on Cross-Border Transportation of People and Goods in the GMS (CBTA), is expected to enhance the connectivity of the China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor and give a strong boost to the development of the socio-economic development of the GMS, according to Wang Xiuchun, a senior official of China's Ministry of Transport.

CBTA, which was signed by China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia in 2007, is a cross-border transport system under the principle of reciprocity to reduce regional transport costs and encourage trade.

The first transportation team sets off from Nanning to Hanoi, Vietnam via China's Friendship Pass Border Port, which will greatly reduce the running time and cost savings with the GMS driving permit. [Photo by Yang Zhixiong/chinanews.com]

Southern China's Guangxi has actively taken part in economic and trade cooperation with GMS countries, as well as focused on the development of international transportation. In the future, Guangxi will further promote the rapid circulation of goods and convenient travel for people to achieve mutual development and common prosperity for both sides, said Fei Zhirong, vice chairman of Guangxi's government.