The nation is working to link its road network to those of other countries to improve population and material flows, and spur the opening up of road transportation.

By the end of last year, China had opened more than 60 border crossings to international road transport, with at least 140 passenger and freight lines becoming free to use by traffic from neighbouring countries, according to statistics from the Ministry of Communications.

"The principle for our international road transport co-operation is to promote regional partnerships while improving routes to neighbouring countries," said Feng Zhenglin, vice-minister of communications, at a news conference yesterday.

In recent years, China has forged close ties with members of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization and countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion in the road transport sector.

"Great progress has been made in the sector as 10 bilateral road transport agreements have been signed in addition to three multilateral inter-governmental transport pacts," Feng said.

Statistics from the ministry show that more than 22,000 kilometres of highway in eight provinces and autonomous regions have been connected with 15 neighbouring countries to date.

To expand the sector and further improve cross-border links between European and Asian countries, the Third Euro-Asian Road Transport Conference will open in Beijing on September 26.

(China Daily June 14, 2005)