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Alataw Pass in Xinjiang sees growing auto imports

  URUMQI, June 8 (Xinhua)-- An exhibition hall for parallel imported cars opened earlier this week in the Alataw Pass comprehensive bonded zone, bringing in world-famous auto brands via the port.

  Car buyers in northwestern China will have more options for spending their cash on premium brands and models transported by China-Europe freight trains, including Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Lada Niva and Range Rover.

  Located in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Alataw Pass is a key node along the modern Silk Road and the largest land port in the northwestern part of China.

  The port has plowed in 200 million yuan (28.9 million U.S. dollars) over the years to build supporting facilities, including a loading and unloading platform and inspection system for imported cars.

  Relevant policies have also been implemented to support automobile trade enterprises on customs clearance, campus facilities and financial services.

  Statistics from the Alataw Pass Customs showed that since 2015, 19 local companies have imported 1,173 cars, worth 236 million yuan, accounting for more than 75 percent of the total number of vehicles imported to Xinjiang.

  Trading companies in other places of the country have so far imported 8,700 automobiles via the Alataw Pass, the customs said.