Six buses cross border in Zabaikalsk-Manchuria area after three-year pause - customs

CHITA. Jan 9 (Interfax) - About 50 Chinese citizens crossed the Russian-Chinese border on the first day of passenger traffic resumption in the Zabaikalsk-Manchuria area after a three-year pause, the Russian Far Eastern Customs Department said.

"Chita customs officers have cleared six buses carrying Chinese citizens at the Zabaikalsk international checkpoint on January 8. Forty-two Chinese citizens crossed the border via the Zabaikalsk checkpoint: 35 left Russia for China and seven entered the Russian territory," the department said.

Most Chinese citizens were traveling on business or for family reunion. The border was also crossed by students and employees of international organizations. Russian citizens did not cross into China.

China resumed passenger traffic through the Zabaikalsk-Manchuria checkpoint on January 8. Passengers arriving in China need a negative test for Covid-19. Passenger traffic through the Zabaikalsk-Manchuria checkpoint stopped in February 2020 because of the Covid-19 quarantine.

The Chinese authorities started lifting border crossing restrictions, which were declared at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, on Sunday. From January 8, people arriving in China with a negative test for Covid-19 no longer have to quarantine. China is again issuing regular visas and temporary residence permits.