Strengthening Bilateral Trade Infrastructure

Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, recently undertook a comprehensive visit to the Khorgos Free Trade Zone located in northern Xinjiang. This visit underscores Pakistan’s growing interest in tapping into China’s advanced trade infrastructure and boosting regional connectivity, particularly between Pakistan, China, and Central Asia.

During his visit, Ambassador Hashmi was given a detailed tour of the Khorgos Free Trade Zone—one of the most strategic economic and logistical hubs in the region. Known for its pivotal role in facilitating trans-border trade, Khorgos has evolved into a symbol of the Belt and Road Initiative’s (BRI) success in regional integration and economic cooperation.

Khorgos: A Unique Triad of Trade, Transit, and Cooperation

The Khorgos Free Trade Zone is unique in its configuration and operation. It functions simultaneously as China’s busiest inland dry port, a border gate connecting to Kazakhstan, and a cooperation centre designed to facilitate the free movement of goods and people. Strategically located along the China-Kazakhstan border, Khorgos has become an essential node in the New Eurasian Land Bridge—a major component of the BRI.

This multimodal logistics hub not only enhances trade efficiency but also creates immense opportunities for businesses and regional economies. The ambassador was briefed on how Khorgos has evolved into a sixth-generation port, leveraging cutting-edge technology, smart customs clearance, and integrated logistics systems to streamline cross-border trade.

Engagement with Local Leadership

As part of his visit, Ambassador Hashmi held productive discussions with local Chinese officials and representatives of the trade zone. Their conversations revolved around the transformation of Khorgos into a world-class inland port and its positive impact on regional commerce and connectivity.

The ambassador expressed Pakistan’s admiration for China’s efforts in developing this model dry port, which has become a benchmark in logistics and customs innovation. The two sides discussed the various technical, operational, and policy measures implemented at Khorgos to facilitate seamless trade and people-to-people interaction.

Vision for Pakistan-China Collaboration at the Khunjerab Border

A key focus of the discussions was how to apply the successful practices from Khorgos to Pakistan’s own Khunjerab dry port, which serves as the main border crossing point between Pakistan and China. The Khunjerab Pass, though already significant in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is yet to reach its full potential in terms of trade facilitation and infrastructure development.

Both sides explored potential avenues for collaboration, including:

  • Knowledge Exchange: Sharing operational frameworks, customs integration models, and digital infrastructure techniques.

  • Capacity Building: Training Pakistani customs and logistics personnel based on Khorgos’ best practices.

  • Joint Ventures: Encouraging investment from Chinese enterprises in upgrading the Khunjerab port facilities.

  • Policy Alignment: Coordinating bilateral efforts to streamline border clearance procedures and enhance transport connectivity.

Ambassador Hashmi highlighted the importance of transforming Khunjerab into a high-capacity dry port that can match global standards, much like Khorgos, in order to effectively support Pakistan’s export ambitions and regional trade integration.

Part of a Broader Diplomatic Engagement in Xinjiang

This visit to Khorgos was part of Ambassador Hashmi’s broader official tour of Xinjiang, aimed at fostering regional cooperation and people-to-people engagement between Pakistan and China. His engagements included meetings with government authorities, business leaders, and community stakeholders.

The ambassador reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to strengthening its ties with China, especially through practical cooperation in infrastructure, trade, and investment. He emphasized that Xinjiang’s growing prominence as a trade and logistics hub presents numerous opportunities for Pakistan to integrate more effectively into regional and global supply chains.

The Role of Khorgos in the Belt and Road Initiative

Khorgos represents a cornerstone of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. The trade zone exemplifies how infrastructural development, combined with efficient policy frameworks, can transform remote border regions into vibrant economic corridors.

For countries like Pakistan, Khorgos serves not just as a model but also as a gateway to Central Asia and Europe. With the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor acting as a flagship BRI project, lessons from Khorgos could be instrumental in turning CPEC into a fully functional trade corridor that benefits not only Pakistan and China but the broader region as well.

Looking Ahead: Building a Shared Future

Ambassador Hashmi’s visit to the Khorgos Free Trade Zone has laid the groundwork for deepened cooperation between Pakistan and China in the fields of logistics, trade facilitation, and border management. By adopting innovative practices from Khorgos and fostering institutional collaboration, Pakistan hopes to enhance its own trade infrastructure and contribute meaningfully to regional economic integration.

As both nations continue to expand the scope of their strategic partnership, initiatives like these underscore the commitment to building a shared future rooted in connectivity, prosperity, and mutual development.