Speakers:
Mr. Zhao Zenglian, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC )
Mr. Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of the GACC and director general of the Department of Statistics and Analysis of the GACC
Mr. Lin Shaobin, deputy director general of the Department of General Operation of the GACC
Chairperson:
Ms. Xing Huina, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO
Date:
July 30, 2024
Xing Huina:
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO), as part of the series "Promoting High-Quality Development." Today, we are joined by Mr. Zhao Zenglian, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), who will brief you on relevant progress and take your questions. Also present at today's press conference are Mr. Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of the GACC and director general of the Department of Statistics and Analysis of the GACC; and Mr. Lin Shaobin, deputy director general of the Department of General Operation of the GACC.
Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Zhao for his introduction.
Zhao Zenglian:
Thank you. Good morning. I would like to start by extending my appreciation for your long-standing interest in and support for our work concerning the customs sector. Also, a special thank you to everyone for attending the press conference on a rainy day.
On Sept. 11 last year, in a letter replying to workers in the Khunjerab Pass, a land port on the China-Pakistan border in China's Xinjiang, General Secretary Xi Jinping specified the duties and missions of customs authorities in safeguarding borders and driving development. He emphasized that customs authorities should uphold security at the nation's borders while promoting high-quality development and high-level opening-up. This provides overall guidance and principles for the work of the customs sector. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, customs authorities have strived to create a new chapter in high-quality development, making specific progress in the following aspects.
Safeguarding borders means firmly guarding the red line of border security and providing strong support for achieving high-quality development.
Specifically, customs authorities have resolutely safeguarded people's well-being and safety by strictly enhancing border health and quarantine work, which serves as the first line of defense, and by implementing stringent inspections for imported foods and merchandise. In the first half of the year, customs authorities nationwide identified a total of 29,000 cases of infectious diseases and more than 30,000 batches of food and merchandise that failed to meet health certification standards.
We have resolutely safeguarded the country's biosecurity at the nation's borders and strictly prevented the introduction of alien invasive species. In the first half of the year, customs authorities nationwide intercepted pests a total of 37,000 times.
We have resolutely safeguarded political, economic and comprehensive security at ports, strengthened port supervision, comprehensively enhanced tax administration, and maintained a tough stance against trafficking. In the first half of the year, customs authorities nationwide supervised a total of 2.73 billion metric tons of imports and exports, collected 1.05 trillion yuan (about $145.3 billion) in tax, and filed and investigated over 3,000 cases of smuggling offences and crimes, with a value in excess of 54 billion yuan.
We have also resolutely applied a holistic approach to national security, shouldered our political responsibility of safeguarding border security in a steadfast manner, and firmly protected the defense line at ports, the red line of supervision, as well as the fundamentals of security.
In addition, driving development means continuously reforming and improving customs supervision mechanisms and institutional arrangements, while enhancing supervision efficiency and service capacity. The aim is to contribute customs authorities' wisdom and strength to achieving high-quality development.
Specifically, customs authorities have introduced more high-quality policy measures. In recent years, we have rolled out nine policy packages in succession, comprising a total of 209 measures, to ease business difficulties, facilitate foreign trade and stabilize growth. We have also introduced 12 policy packages, containing 227 measures, to enhance regional coordination.
We have strived to foster a world-class port-based business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized. In collaboration with relevant government bodies and local governments, we have launched special initiatives for cross-border trade facilitation for seven consecutive years. This year's initiative has already been carried out in an orderly manner across 13 provinces, districts and municipalities, and 20 cities.
We have strived to build high-level opening-up platforms. We have continuously enhanced innovation in customs supervision mechanisms concerning comprehensive bonded zones and pilot free trade zones (FTZs). We have also provided strong support for the establishment of new hubs for opening-up, such as the Hainan Free Trade Port, the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone. Among the seven batches of pilot FTZ development experiences that the State Council has deemed applicable to other regions, customs authorities have contributed over 38%.
We have also expedited the development of new growth drivers in foreign trade. We have advanced reforms in customs supervision for cross-border e-commerce, and supported the development of new business forms such as those involving market procurement, overseas warehouses and bonded maintenance. Additionally, we have taken a more proactive approach in providing service for trade involving the "new trio," namely, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products, as well as intermediate goods.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China's foreign trade has grown by an average of 1.6 trillion yuan annually, an amount equivalent to the yearly foreign trade volume of a medium-sized country. China has topped the world in total volume of trade in goods for seven consecutive years, becoming a major trade partner for more than 150 countries and regions. Currently, the number of foreign trade businesses in the country has doubled compared to 2012. Exports of automobiles, integrated circuits and lithium-ion batteries, which are high-tech and green products with more added-value, have increased in 2023 by 730%, 180% and 1,520%, respectively, compared to 2012. These statistics objectively prove that since the 18th CPC National Congress, the scale of China's foreign trade has increased, its structure has improved, and its vibrancy has enhanced.
Reform is crucial in fulfilling our dual mission of safeguarding our borders and promoting growth, while also driving high-quality development.
The GACC has evolved through opening up and thrived on reform. Over the past 46 years, reform has been the cornerstone of our operations. We have progressed from paper-based to paperless clearance, from mutual exchange of information, mutual recognition of inspection results and mutual assistance in law enforcement to nationwide integrated clearance. Customs, inspection, and quarantine procedures, which used to involve two separate enforcement actions and two sets of procedures, are now streamlined into a single declaration, inspection, and release process. Reform has consistently empowered and enhanced customs supervision and clearance processes, significantly improving the safety, efficiency, and speed of procedures for goods, items, postal parcels, and personnel. We have largely achieved the reform goals of effective control, liberalized processes, and rapid clearance. These improvements have significantly enhanced the sense of security and satisfaction among businesses and the public.
The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has made sound plans and systematic arrangements for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. In response, the GACC has swiftly mobilized. Last week, our Party committee organized a special meeting to discuss implementation, followed by a two-day training session for customs leaders nationwide. We've aligned our reforms with the broader context of China's modernization, focusing on intelligent customs systems. Our goal is to modernize customs services further, boosting China's modernization.
That's all for my introduction. Next, my two colleagues and I are ready to answer your questions. Thank you!
