Xing Huina:
One last question due to time constraints.
Beijing Youth Daily:
The China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) is the nation's youngest pilot FTZ. A general plan issued by the State Council for establishing the Xinjiang pilot FTZ proposed 129 pilot tasks. What specific progress has been made in regard to these tasks? What's your plan for the next step? Thank you.
Sun Hongmei:
Thank you for your questions. After the approval of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region upheld the principle of planning before taking actions and formulated an implementation plan for the pilot FTZ construction based on the actual conditions of the autonomous region. We initiated 129 pilot tasks across the board, 15 of which have seen implementation. Our goal this year is to complete more than half of these tasks. Next, we will focus on three areas:
First, building an open and distinctive industrial system. The autonomous region will actively embrace the transfer of export-oriented industrial chains from the eastern region, especially those labor-intensive industrial chains. It will also expand market access to and increase the import of products from Central Asian countries and other neighboring countries, create a regional processing and distribution hub for international primary products, and establish industrial clusters for industries, such as specialty agricultural and sideline products, pharmaceuticals, refining and petrochemicals, textiles and garments, equipment manufacturing, and general aviation.
Second, constructing a comprehensive logistics hub connecting Europe and Asia. The autonomous region will build a national logistics hub in Urumqi based on its land port and airport, a land border port-type national logistics hub in Khorgos, and an international trade and logistics channel in Kashgar. At present, we are accelerating the construction of projects such as China-Europe Railway Express assembly centers, the Eurasia International Road Transport Center, and the Urumqi Airport Economy Zone. We are also promoting road-rail, rail-sea transport, and land port-airport interconnection, achieving compatibility of rules and mutual recognition of standards in regard to international transport and keeping the cross-border transport corridor more unimpeded. All these efforts have produced initial results. From January to April this year, a total of 435 China-Europe and China-Asia freight trains were operated in the Urumqi International Land Port Area, up 13.5% year on year; the number of freight trucks passed through the Khorgos highway port has more than doubled to 68,600; and the international cargo and mail throughput of the Urumqi Airport and the Kashgar Airport increased by more than three times.
Third, enhancing the level of trade facilitation. The autonomous region will strive to cultivate cross-border e-commerce business entities and support the construction of border warehouses and overseas industrial parks. Seeking to innovate the supervision model related to foreign trade, we have adopted a "supplier-to-highway port" integrated customs clearance model, more than doubling the customs clearance efficiency. We will modernize the border ports at a faster pace and promote the smart port program. We will also strengthen economic and trade cooperation with the Central Asian countries and other neighboring countries and hold a successful China-Eurasia Expo. In this regard, Mr. Erkin Tuniyaz just extended his gracious invitation. Moreover, we will accelerate the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt Legal-services District and promote more open and innovative financial services.
The Xinjiang pilot FTZ is now in its initial stage of construction. We believe that with the consistent implementation of reform and innovation measures, development momentum will be further unleashed. That concludes my introduction. Thank you.
Xing Huina:
Today's press conference concludes here. Thank you, speakers. Thank you to all friends from the media for your participation. Goodbye.
Translated and edited by Xu Xiaoxuan, Zhang Junmian, Liu Sitong, Wang Yanfang, Zhang Tingting, Liu Caiyi, Ma Yujia, Qin Qi, He Shan, Yan Bin, Wang Ziteng, Huang Shan, Li Xiao, Li Huiru, David Ball, Jay Birbeck, Tom Arnsten and Rochelle Beiersdorfer. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
