Shou Xiaoli:

We will take one last question, please.

Jinan Times App:

Cross-border e-commerce has been a consistent focus of the government's work report for 11 consecutive years, driving significant growth in foreign trade. How has the import and export of cross-border e-commerce performed in the first three quarters of this year? What efforts has the GACC made to promote the healthy development of the cross-border e-commerce? Thank you. 

Lyu Daliang:

Thank you for your questions. The import and export data of cross-border e-commerce has been a subject of great interest. According to China's cross-border e-commerce statistical survey system, statistical surveys for cross-border e-commerce sector are conducted twice a year, in the form of semi-annual and annual reports. The statistical survey for the first half of this year has just concluded. I would like to share the data for the first half of the year.

In the first half of the year, China's cross-border e-commerce trade reached 1.25 trillion yuan, an increase of 13% year on year, representing a record high compared with the same period in previous years. It made up 5.9% of China's total import and export value, up 0.4 percentage point from the first half of 2023. Exports increased by 18.7% to around 979.9 billion yuan, while imports dropped by 3.9% to 266.4 billion yuan. In terms of export destination and source of imports, exports to the United States accounted for 34.2%, followed by the United Kingdom at 8.1%, Germany at 6.2% and France at 4.5%. Exports to Asian markets such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan were also very vibrant. Imports from the United States accounted for 16.7%, followed by Australia at 11.3%, and Japan at 10.6%. Germany, France and New Zealand were also major sources of imports.

In terms of commodity structure, apparel, shoes and jewelry were the top export, making up 27.3% of the total. Exports of electronics like cellphones stood at 14.4%, and exports of products like home textiles was 12.4%. When it comes to imports, the share of beauty and personal care products was 28.8%, while fresh food accounted for 25.2%. Geographically speaking, top exporters were Guangdong, Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangsu provinces, while major importers were Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai and Beijing.

To supplement the biannual statistical survey on cross-border e-commerce, we conduct preliminary estimates every month to track the latest trade developments. According to the latest preliminary estimates, China's cross-border e-commerce trade reached 1.88 trillion yuan in the first three quarters, representing an 11.5% increase year on year. Exports accounted for 1.48 trillion yuan, up 15.2%, while imports totaled 399.16 billion yuan, down 0.4%.

In recent years, the GACC has been at the forefront of supporting the development of cross-border e-commerce and other new business formats. In June, the GACC and relevant departments jointly released guidelines on expanding cross-border e-commerce exports and advancing the construction of overseas warehouses. Customs authorities nationwide have been committed to implementing relevant policies and measures. We have been promoting the practice of paperless customs declarations for overseas warehouses, strengthening intellectual property rights protection, and deepening the comprehensive reform of cross-border e-commerce. By doing all this, we aim to foster collaboration and joint governance between customs authorities and cross-border e-commerce platforms, so as to promote the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce. Thank you. 

Shou Xiaoli:

Thank you to our speakers, and thank you to all the reporters for your participation. That concludes today's press conference. Goodbye. 

Translated and edited by Zhang Rui, Li Xiao, Wang Xingguang, Xu Xiaoxuan, Mi Xingang, Xiang Bin, Yang Chuanli, Chen Xinyan, Gong Yingchun, Liu Sitong, Wang Qian, Wang Wei, Wang Yiming, Yuan Fang, Huang Shan, Li Huiru, David Ball, Rochelle Beiersdorfer, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.