URUMQI -- The Horgos International Border Cooperation Center on the China-Kazakhstan border, in Northwest China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region, officially opened its customs office on Thursday. The office has been in preparation since 2007.

The customs office, which is under the administration of Urumqi Customs, mainly provides services for the Chinese side of a cross-border free trade zone.

After opening, the customs office hopes to offer strong support for the center, for it to become a key engine in China's westward trade, said Zhao Ge, director of Urumqi Customs.

In September 2004, China and Kazakhstan signed an agreement to create the Horgos International Border Cooperation Center, a free trade zone. The center opened in 2012.

Customs procedures have now been streamlined at the center, which covers 3.43 square km on the Chinese side and 1.85 square km on the Kazakh side.

The center has seen rising flow of people and goods. As of July, it has recorded 9.46 million visitors and a trade volume of 878 million U.S. dollars since opening.