China has identified 22 cities as sites for comprehensive cross-border e-commerce pilot zones in an effort to boost cross-border e-commerce, promote opening-up and upgrade foreign trade, the State Council announced.
"Our firm commitment to opening-up and efforts to introduce the development of cross-border e-commerce and other new forms of business and increase imports and exports will better position us to meet the needs of modern consumption and overall development," Premier Li Keqiang said at a State Council executive meeting.
Experimental Free Trade Zone
The Chinese government has placed great emphasis on developing experimental or pilot free trade zones, considering cross-border e-commerce a key step to foster new development drivers and increase the country's global competitiveness.
The experimental free trade zones for comprehensive cross-border e-commerce Established in 11 cities in 2013 such as Shanghai by the State Council, have made remarkable progress and the volume of cross-border e-commerce has doubled for the second consecutive year.
The meeting, chaired by Premier Li, decided expand those areas cross-border e-commerce to more areas with good e-commerce facilities and great potential for foreign trade. Priority will be given to the central, western and northeastern regions of China.
The new zones will be established in 22 cities, including Beijing, Hohhot, Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin, Nanjing, Nanchang, Wuhan, Changsha, Nanning, Haikou, Guiyang, Kunming, Xian, Lanzhou, Xiamen, Tangshan, Wuxi, Weihai, Zhuhai, Dongguan and Yiwu.
customs procedures
China has continued its efforts to reform and harmonize customs procedures. About one-third of imports are now declared through customs clearance systems. one-stop shops. The time taken to clear imports has been reduced to 16,7 hours on average in 2017, compared to more than 22 hours in 2016.
However, China must further optimize administrative and approval procedures in logistics, warehousing and customs clearance to promote liberalization and facilitate international trade, stimulate innovation in business forms and expand the import of more competitive foreign products.
The above measures should be tailored to local circumstances and bold steps should be taken to explore institutional innovations and support measures that facilitate the development of cross-border e-commerce.
E-commerce companies were encouraged to develop overseas warehouses and a global trade networkl, to cultivate their own brands and diversify export markets to promote the modernization of foreign trade and increase economic competitiveness.
"Government departments should adopt more effective policies and provide more support in light of progress in actual implementation," Li added.
Source: Xinhua
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
