Backgrounder: Mengkang Port

Mengkang Port, a first class port constructed under the 11th Five-Year Plan of China, is one of the most convenient land routes linking Yunnan Province to Laos and other Southeast Asian countries. In addition to serving as a port for Sino-Laos road passengers and goods transportation, Mengkang Port also stands as a significant “bridgehead” for Pu'er opening up to the outside world.

The construction of the port officially started in July 2008. Mengkang Port was recognized as a first class port of the nation in July 2011, and went through Pu'er municipal's preliminary acceptance for functional soundness in September 2011, Yunnan provincial's acceptance in June 2013, and national acceptance in November 2013. Mengkang Port was officially open to the public on December 18, 2013 when Sino-Laos diplomatic documents exchange formally came to an end.

As of November 2013, Mengkang Port, backed up by a total investment of 184.34 million yuan, has completed engineering projects for the Joint Inspection Building, Goods Inspection Yard, Goods Entry-Exit Channels, Entry-Exit Plaza, roadbed renovation for the road section linking China and Laos, Road No. 4 and No. 9 in the trade zone, electricity and telecommunication service connection; renovation projects for public space, office facilities and transitional living facilities of departments for "one port two inspections" matters; debugging and acceptance of inspection apparatus, and acceptance of offices for port operation.

During the period from January to November 2013, Mengkang Port concluded an import-export trade volume at USD17,989,500, up 99% year-on-year; witnessed 111,400 tons of import-export goods, up 52.5% year-on-year; got passed through by 63,200 people and 23,900 traffic vehicles for border entry-exit purpose, a 18.2% and 36.9% year-on-year hike respectively. Among others, coal, timber, sugarcane, construction material, agricultural machinery, general merchandises made up major import and export goods across the twin ports.