Bloomberg:
You spoke earlier about the disruptions in Yantian Port. Can you give us an actual figure about how much trade was disrupted or how many exports didn't happen because the port was shut for the whole of June. Secondly, there is been an increasing number of outbreaks of COVID-19, especially due to the Delta variant globally, do you expect this to further disrupt trade in the second half of this year? Thank you.
Li Kuiwen:
I have answered the questions about the impact of COVID-19 on Yantian Port and introduced suitable measures that the customs office has taken. As for how the prevention and control measures in Yantian Port will influence the transportation market, related departments have given information. As for your second question about the impact of COVID-19 on foreign trade, as I mentioned before, uncertainties remain surrounding the global pandemic in the second half of this year, which may affect China's foreign trade. Overall, however, we expect relatively rapid growth of China's foreign trade in the second half of this year. Thanks.
Hong Kong Bauhinia Magazine:
According to the GACC's latest regulations, the pilot program to boost cross-border e-commerce business-to-business (B2B) exports has been rolled out across the country since July 1. My question is how the pilot program went on over the past year, and what measures will be taken to promote the development of e-commerce? Thanks.
Li Kuiwen:
Thanks for your questions. First, I would like to release the latest data regarding cross-border e-commerce. According to preliminary data from the GACC, in the first half of this year, China's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports maintained the momentum of sound development and reached 886.7 billion yuan, up 28.6% year on year. The exports grew by 44.1% to 603.6 billion yuan and imports expanded by 4.6% to 283.1 billion yuan.
On the basis of summarizing the practice and consolidating the progress achieved from the previous works, the GACC recently issued an announcement (No.47 [2021]) to faithfully implement the guidelines of the national teleconference on issues including deepening reforms to streamline administrative approval, delegate power to lower levels, and improve regulations and services; to further promote the healthy and orderly development of cross-border e-commerce; and to better support the enterprises to expand the international market. Since July 1, the experience of pilot projects in cross-border e-commerce B2B export supervision has been replicated and promoted in customs offices across the country. Since July 1 of last year, the GACC has conducted pilot reforms on cross-border e-commerce B2B export supervision for a whole year, making remarkable achievements which are demonstrated in the following four aspects. First, the pilot program improved clearance services for companies. Second, the pilot program developed new ways for the supervision on exports to overseas warehouses in cross-border e-commerce. Third, the pilot program actively expanded logistics channels. Fourth, the pilot program enhanced regulation and prevented risks. Implementing of the pilot program will boost the development of e-commerce in the next stage, which is also helpful for companies to reduce costs and increase efficiency and expand the international market. It is also conducive to a more balanced development of cross-border e-commerce among different regions. Thanks.
