Zhinews of Shenzhen Satellite TV:

Special customs supervision zones, with comprehensive bonded zones as the mainstay, are crucial platforms for the high-quality development of China's foreign trade. Could you please provide some information on this topic? What are the plans for the next steps? Thank you.

Zhao Zenglian:

I would like to invite Mr. Lin to answer. 

Lin Shaobin:

Thank you for your questions. Since the launch of reform and opening up, China has established six types of special customs supervision zones: bonded zones, export processing zones, bonded logistics parks, cross-border industrial zones, bonded port zones and comprehensive bonded zones. As mentioned by the reporter, these special customs supervision zones are key platforms for the high-quality development of China's foreign trade. The proportion of import and export value through these zones has increased from 2013 to 19.2% in 2023. These zones contributed nearly one-fifth of the country's total import and export value while occupying less than 0.005% of the national land area. Since the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, we have actively promoted the integration of these special supervision zones into comprehensive bonded zones. Currently, there are 172 special customs supervision zones nationwide, including 165 comprehensive bonded zones. Comprehensive bonded zones have three main advantages, which I will briefly introduce.

First, comprehensive bonded zones offer a full range of business functions. These zones can engage in various activities such as processing and manufacturing, cross-border e-commerce and bonded maintenance. They are shifting from a model focused solely on external activities to one of two-way openness, both inward and outward. For example, according to the current national maintenance product catalog, bonded maintenance services can now be carried out within the zones. We have fostered the coordinated development of comprehensive bonded zones and free-trade zones, and supported enterprises in developing bonded aviation maintenance services. For instance, at Xiamen Port bonded aviation maintenance services achieved an import and export value exceeding 160 billion yuan in 2023, serving over 100 airlines across dozens of countries and regions, and delivering excellent results.

Second, comprehensive bonded zones benefit from favorable tax policies. These zones enjoy various tax incentives, including bonded policies, tax rebates and tax exemptions. Goods entering the zones from abroad are subject to bonded policies. Goods entering the zones from domestic areas are treated as exports and are eligible for tax rebates. Additionally, machinery, equipment and office supplies needed for production within the zones are exempt from import duties and value-added taxes.

Third, comprehensive bonded zones facilitate the circulation of goods. Over the years, the customs authorities have continuously reformed and innovated their supervision and service methods. On one hand, enterprises within the zones can easily transfer bonded goods through account management. On the other hand, enterprises can use vehicles of their own choosing, allowing bonded goods to move conveniently between different zones. The advantages in processing and logistics within comprehensive bonded zones have attracted clusters of advanced manufacturing industries, such as the electronic information manufacturing industry. For example, Chongqing, leveraging its comprehensive bonded zones, has achieved the highest global production and sales volume of laptop computers for eight consecutive years.

The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee emphasized the need to develop new institutions for a higher-standard open economy. Moving forward, the customs authorities will continue to enhance the vitality and competitiveness of comprehensive bonded zones by focusing on five aspects: policy supply, function expansion, procedure simplification, process optimization and system improvement. Our goal is to elevate the development of comprehensive bonded zones to higher levels, broader dimensions and deeper fields. Thank you.