China’s Covid restrictions cause 2,000 containers to pile up at border

By Hoai Thu February 16, 2022 | 06:56 pm PT

Containers pile up at Tan Thanh Border Gate in Lang Son Province, February 14, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Minh

Nearly 2,000 containers, more than 80 percent with fresh agriculture produce, remain stuck at three border gates with China in the northern province of Lang Son.

With China continuing to tighten Covid-19 measures, it would take 10-15 days for them to pass through, Lieu Anh Minh, deputy director of the province Department of Industry and Trade, said.

The province has reported to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and suggested high-level negotiations to break the impasse, he told VnExpress.

Lang Son authorities have also proposed to their Chinese counterparts that truck doors could be sealed when they enter China to ensure there is no contact.

Chinese authorities are said to be considering this proposal.

Lang Son has stopped allowing in fresh fruit consignments until February 25.

The pileup of container trucks at the border has been happening since the end of last year though it was partly resolved during the Lunar New Year holidays earlier this month.

But it is now resurfacing, causing losses to exporters and transporters.

China was Vietnam's second-largest export market for agricultural, forestry and fishery products behind the U.S., posting an export turnover of $8.4 billion in the first 11 months of last year, accounting for 19.2 percent of Vietnam’s total agricultural exports.