The Lektse port begins operation on Nov 13, 2023. It is the fourth land port in China's Xizang, following the ports of Zham, Gyirong, and Burang. [Photo/CCTV]

A new land port linking Letse in Drongba county of Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, and Nechung in Mustang county of Nepal was officially opened on Monday.

Located around 12 kilometers from its corresponding port, the Nechung Port of Nepal, the Letse Port serves as a gateway between the two countries. It is the fourth land port in the region, following the ports of Zhangmu, Gyirong, and Burang.

As a traditional trade channel between Xizang and Nepal, the Letse Port has been established on the basis of traditional border trade between China and Nepal, and it has long been a salt and grain trading point between the two countries. Until 2017, the port was listed in the national port opening plan of China, and it was approved by the State Council in 2019 to open to the outside world.

A total of 400 million yuan ($54.8 million) has been invested since the port construction project was launched, and it was approved by the country in September for operation.

Wang Fanghong, mayor of Shigatse, said the opening of the port is of great significance in helping to establish an all-round opening-up pattern in Xizang, to promote bilateral economic and trade exchanges, and measures to enhance the level of connectivity between China and Nepal.

Official statistics reflect that the import and export value of Shigatse in the first three quarters has reached over 4.5 billion yuan, an increase of 46 percent year-on-year, accounting for more than 59 percent of the region's import and export volume during the same period.