SCIO briefing series on 'high-quality achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan period': Customs

China News Service:

Since the 14th Five-Year Plan period, facing the complex and fast-changing international economic and trade environment, what work has the customs done in deepening international cooperation and participating in global customs governance? What progress has been made? Thank you.

Sun Meijun:

Thank you for your question. I would like to invite Mr. Zhang to answer this question.

Zhang Baofeng:

As you just mentioned, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the global economy and trade situation was both complex and volatile. In relation to this China has continued to widen its door to the outside world., The concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity has resonated in people's hearts. As the frontier of the country's opening up, the customs authorities have prioritized the joint construction of the BRI, actively expanded international cooperation and strived to create a good external environment. Efforts mainly focused on the following aspects:

First, we have further expanded the "circle of friends." We have established 85 new customs cooperation mechanisms with countries participating in the BRI, reaching a total of 138. We have established a customs inspection and quarantine cooperation platform with African and Central and Eastern European countries, helping high-quality products such as African citrus, coffee beans, wild aquatic products, as well as honey, wine, and cosmetics from Central and Eastern Europe enter the Chinese market. We have conducted 204 foreign aid training sessions, involving nearly 7,000 people from 120 countries and regions, sharing China's experience and promoting friendly exchanges in customs regulations, technology, standards, and culture.

Second, we have promoted the "connectivity". We have leveraged the driving role of the meeting mechanisms with the heads of customs of Central Asia countries and ASEAN. This has promoted joint prevention and control of cross-border security risks with neighboring countries, and the rapid clearance of compliant products. We have promoted the alignment of customs rules and standards with major trading partners. The number of mutually recognized high-credit enterprises ranks first in the world. These certified enterprises enjoy benefits such as low inspection rates and expedited customs clearance, achieving "one certification, global recognition".

Third, we have contributed "Chinese solutions." We have jointly established the global smart customs online cooperation platform with the World Customs Organization. Through this platform, customs authorities from the Global South engage in exchanges and mutual learning to promote common development. We have also established the BRICS Smart Customs Center of Excellence. This shares our experience in port epidemic prevention and control. We have actively participated in the revision of the WHO's International Health Regulations and the Pandemic Agreement. Through this we have provided the international community with Chinese wisdom and solutions.

The World Customs Organization has a famous saying, "Borders divide, Customs connect". The more complex and fast changing the international economic and trade situations become, the stronger and deeper the international cooperation and exchange of customs should be. Next, China Customs will further implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Through this China will participate in the reform of global customs governance, and make more contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you, Ms. Sun Meijun, and thank you to all the speakers and reporters for participating. Today's briefing is hereby concluded. Goodbye.

Translated and edited by Yang Chuanli, Yang Xi, Liu Caiyi, Liu Sitong, Xu Kailin, Zhang Tingting, You Jiaxin, Wang Qian, Gong Yingchun, Huang Shan, Fan Junmei, Ma Jiayu, David Ball, Tudor Finneran and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.