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Read in Chinese

Speaker:

Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC)

Chairperson:

Xing Huina, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and SCIO spokesperson

Date:

Jan. 13, 2023

Xing Huina:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). Today, we are joined by Mr. Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), who will introduce the situation and answer your questions.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Lyu for a brief introduction.

Lyu Daliang:

Ladies and gentlemen, friends from the media, good morning! Welcome to today's press conference. It's a great pleasure to meet you. I'll begin by introducing China's import and export performance for 2022 and then answer your questions.

In 2022, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China kept in mind both our internal and international imperatives and coordinated epidemic response with economic and social development, as well as balancing development and security, amid complex and severe domestic and international situations. Despite facing unexpected challenges, China's volume of foreign trade and imports reached new heights, with a steady improvement in their quality. According to statistics from the GACC, China's foreign trade value in 2022 was 42.07 trillion yuan, up 7.7% year on year. Exports saw a 10.5% increase to 23.97 trillion yuan, and imports rose by 4.3% to 18.1 trillion yuan. Specifically, there were five main features, which I will now outline:

First, China's imports and exports are resilient and large in scale. China's foreign trade value exceeded 40 trillion yuan for the first time in 2022, continuing to grow from the high base set in 2021 and reaching a new record high. China has been the world's largest trading nation for goods for six consecutive years. In the first and second quarters of 2022, the total value of imports and exports surpassed 9 trillion yuan and 10 trillion yuan, respectively. In the third quarter, the total value of imports and exports increased to 11.3 trillion yuan, a new quarterly record. In the fourth quarter, the total value of imports and exports remained at 11 trillion yuan.

Second, China's trading partners are well-distributed and have strong growth potential. In 2022, China's imports and exports with ASEAN, the European Union, and the United States reached 6.52 trillion yuan, 5.65 trillion yuan, and 5.05 trillion yuan, respectively, an increase of 15%, 5.6%, and 3.7%, respectively. During the same period, China's trade with countries along the Belt and Road increased by 19.4%, accounting for 32.9% of China's total foreign trade, up 3.2 percentage points. The country's trade with other members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) increased by 7.5%.

Third, general trade is growing rapidly and its share is increasing. In 2022, China's general trade reached 26.81 trillion yuan, an increase of 11.5%. It accounted for 63.7% of the total foreign trade volume, up 2.2 percentage points. Among general trade, exports rose by 15.4% to 15.25 trillion yuan and imports expanded by 6.7% to 11.56 trillion yuan. During the same period, processing trade reached 8.45 trillion yuan, accounting for 20.1% of the total foreign trade volume.

Fourth, the number of foreign trade entities is increasing and they have strong vitality. In 2022, the number of enterprises involved in exports and imports increased by 5.6% to 598,000. Among them, there were 510,000 private enterprises, an increase of 7%. Their imports and exports reached 21.4 trillion yuan, up by 12.9%, accounting for 50.9% of the total foreign trade volume, up by 2.3 percentage points. Meanwhile, foreign-invested enterprises and state-owned enterprises recorded 13.82 trillion yuan and 6.77 trillion yuan in foreign trade, respectively, accounting for 32.9% and 16.1% of the total foreign trade volume.

Fifth, the main products enjoyed stable supply and demand as well as abundant advantages. In 2022, China's imports and exports of electromechanical products reached 20.66 trillion yuan, up by 2.5% and accounting for 49.1% of the total import and export value. Specifically, exports of solar cells, lithium batteries, and automobiles increased by 67.8%, 86.7%, and 82.2%, respectively. In the same period, the export of labor-intensive products amounted to 4.28 trillion yuan, up by 8.9% and accounting for 17.9% of the total export value. Specifically, exports of bags and suitcases, shoes, and toys rose by 32.6%, 24.4%, and 9.1%, respectively. In addition, imports of energy products such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal totaled 3.19 trillion yuan, up by 40.9% and accounting for 17.6% of the total import value. The import of agricultural products reached 1.57 trillion yuan, up by 10.8 % and accounting for 8.7% of the total import value.

2022 was an essential year in the history of the Party and the country. The 20th CPC National Congress was successfully convened, drawing an ambitious blueprint for building a modern socialist country in all respects. Despite the triple pressures of demand contraction, supply shock, and weakening expectations, as well as many great challenges and difficulties, China still made outstanding achievements in foreign trade, which speaks volumes of its resilience. This is the result of the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. Over the past year, with a focus on welcoming the 20th CPC National Congress, as well as studying, publicizing and implementing its guiding principles, customs authorities have developed a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, resolutely upheld Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and upholding the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership, and unwaveringly implemented the decisions and deployment of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. In accordance with the important requirements of preventing the epidemic, stabilizing the economy, and securing development, we have guarded the country's door and promoted the development and efficiently coordinated epidemic prevention and control at ports and the promotion of the steady growth of foreign trade, which has effectively facilitated the stable and quality development of foreign trade and made positive contributions to steady and sound economic growth.

In general, China's foreign trade secured new breakthroughs in 2022, and the scale, quality, and performance of imports and exports improved simultaneously. These achievements did not come easily. Looking ahead to this year, China's foreign trade development will still face many difficulties and challenges as the foundation for our economic recovery is still not solid, the external environment is turbulent, and the downward pressure on the global economy is mounting. While facing these difficulties and challenges, we must also recognize that China's economy enjoys strong resilience, tremendous potential, and great vitality and that the fundamentals sustaining its long-term growth have remained strong. Overall, our economy is expected to pick up this year, and we must be more confident in stabilizing the scale and optimizing the structure of foreign trade.

2023 is the first year when the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress are implemented. The GACC is convening the national customs work conference today to study and deploy the work for 2023. Customs authorities will follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly grasp the decisive significance of the establishment of both Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and resolutely uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole, and uphold the Party Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership. We will earnestly study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, effectively implement the major decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and cement loyalty, carry out missions, guard the door of the country, promote development, and work hard in solidarity. We will keep our feet on the ground and forge ahead, make greater efforts to stabilize the scale and optimize the structure of foreign trade, speed up the construction of modern socialist customs, and make new and greater contributions to promoting a Chinese path to modernization on all fronts.

Now, I would like to take your questions.

Xing Huina:

Thanks, Mr. Lyu, for your introduction. Now we will open the floor for questions. Please identify the media outlet you represent before raising questions.

Phoenix TV:

Last year, China maintained steady growth in foreign trade. What are the main driving factors? What are your expectations for foreign trade this year? Thank you.

Lyu Daliang:

Thank you for your questions. In 2022, facing the challenges of multiple factors that exceeded expectations, China's foreign trade achieved steady growth based on a high base number in 2021. Its annual volume topped 40 trillion yuan (about 5.94 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2022 for the first time, which made positive contributions to stable and sound economic development. In our view, the main factors driving the growth are as follows:

First, export markets expanded, and major products maintained sufficient competitive advantages. From a market perspective, in 2022, China's export to the ASEAN, the EU, and other major trading partners maintained rapid growth. Thanks to the accelerated expansion of emerging markets, China's export to countries along the Belt and Road rose by 20%, driving overall export growth by 6.1 percentage points. Exports to Africa and Latin America increased by 14.8% and 14.1%, respectively. From a product perspective, China's exports of industrial products increased by 9.9% in 2022, driving overall export growth by 9.4 percentage points. Exports of labor-intensive products maintained rapid growth, and the export growth rate of green and low-carbon products, such as solar cells, lithium batteries, and electric vehicles, surpassed 60%. New drivers of export growth increased rapidly. According to the latest data, China's share of global exports is estimated to reach 14.7%, topping the world for 14 consecutive years.

Second, imports were underpinned by the huge domestic demand. In 2022, the country took into account both domestic and international dynamics, coordinated COVID response with economic and social developments, and balanced development and security. As a result, China's economy saw steady and sound development, with its major economic indicators, such as value-added of industrial enterprises above the designated size and fixed-asset investment, rising continuously, which provided strong support for import growth. In 2022, exports of intermediate goods increased by 7.5%, driving overall import growth by 5.9 percentage points. In addition, high global commodity prices also contributed to the growth of import values to some extent.

Third, supportive policies injected a strong internal impetus for foreign trade development. In 2022, the Chinese government carried out a package of policies and follow-up measures to stabilize the economy. In the field of foreign trade, they included ensuring access to foreign trade, increasing fiscal, tax, and financial support, encouraging new forms of foreign trade, supporting foreign trade enterprises in securing orders and expanding markets, and improving trade security and facilitation. As the efficacy of these policies and measures continues to be unleashed, the vitality of China's foreign trade entities has been stimulated. In 2022, the number of enterprises involved in imports and exports increased by 5.6% compared with the previous year. The three major foreign trade entities -- private, foreign-invested, and state-owned enterprises -- gave full play to their respective advantages, and their import and export operations remained sound.

As for the trend of foreign trade, I have mentioned that we still face many difficulties and challenges. At the same time, our economy is expected to realize an overall recovery this year, and foreign trade development will enjoy many favorable conditions, so maintaining the scale and optimizing the structure of foreign trade have a solid basis. Thank you. 

National Business Daily: 

We've noted that the share of private enterprises in foreign trade surpassed 50% last year for the first time. Could you please provide a brief on that? Thank you. 

Lyu Daliang: 

Thank you for your question. The CPC Central Committee and the State Council have always attached great importance to private enterprises and the private sector. Last year, a package of policies and sustainable measures was issued to stabilize the economy, and then the vitality of various market entities, including private enterprises, was unlocked. According to customs statistics, the number of private enterprises recording import and export performance reached 510,000, with their foreign trade volume totaling 21.4 trillion yuan, up by 12.9%. There are several highlights, as follows: 

First, their proportion in foreign trade improved, and private enterprises played a remarkable role in stabilizing foreign trade. The principal position of private enterprises in foreign trade has been consolidated and they have continuously served as a stabilizer. In 2022, the share of private enterprises in the scale of imports and exports reached 50.9%, up by 2.3 percentage points year on year. It's the first time that their annual proportion exceeded 50%. The contribution rate of private enterprises to China's foreign trade growth reached 80.8%.

Second, ties with traditional partners maintained advantages, and emerging markets were vigorously explored. In 2022, the imports and exports of private enterprises to ASEAN, EU, and US, China's top three trade partners, all maintained doubt-digit growth rates, which were 27.6%, 12.6%, and 10.6%, respectively, accounting for 43.9% of private enterprises' total import and export volume. At the same time, the imports and exports of private enterprises to other BRICS countries, Latin America, and the five Central Asian countries grew by 22.1%, 14.5%, and 55.1%, respectively.

Third, the export of mechanical and electrical products and the import of agricultural products grew rapidly. As for exports, in 2022, the export volume of mechanical and electrical products by private enterprises totaled seven trillion yuan, up by 15.3% year on year. Among them, the growth rates of electronic components, electrical appliances, and auto parts reached 22%, 42.5%, and 19%, respectively. As for imports, in 2022, private enterprises imported agricultural products totaling 862.06 billion yuan, up by 14.9% year on year. The growth rates of imported bronze; medicines and medical and medicinal materials; and basic organic chemicals grew by 25.3%, 15.3%, and 8.7%, respectively.

Fourth, private enterprises in central and western regions became more vitalized. In 2022, the import and export of private enterprises in central and western regions grew by 21.5% and 21.2%, respectively, accounting for 20.1% of the total import and export volume of private enterprises, which was 1.4 percentage points higher than that of the previous year. 

CCTV:

Pilot free trade zones and free trade ports are at the forefront of China's opening-up. What work did the customs authorities do last year to promote the development of pilot free trade zones and the Hainan Free Trade Port? Thanks!

Lyu Daliang:

Thank you for your question. The construction of free trade zones and free trade ports is a major policy and plan of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. In accordance with the CPC Central Committee's requirements on "implementing the strategy to upgrade pilot free trade areas" and "accelerating the Hainan Free Trade Port development ," the customs authorities will continue to deepen reform and promote innovation, accelerate the exploration of institutional opening measures such as rules, regulations, management, and standards, and actively support the development of pilot free trade zones and the Hainan Free Trade Port.  

In terms of supporting the development of pilot free trade zones, the customs authorities insists on institutional innovation as the core, upholds replicability and promotion as the basic requirements, and actively carries out the innovation of the customs supervision system in pilot free trade zones. In 2022, local customs authorities filed 33 innovations in customs supervision to the GACC, including a management mode on tracing to the source of Hainan 's offshore duty-free commodities. The GACC reviewed 53 innovative measures previously filed. It formed two innovative systems, including the "enterprise and group processing trade bonded supervision mode" and "international voyage ship transfer data reuse mode,” and replicated and promoted them across the country. Customs statistics show that in 2022, the total import and export value of China's pilot free trade zones was 7.5 trillion yuan, an increase of 14.5%. Among them, the export value was 3.3 trillion yuan, an increase of 18.1%, and the import value was 4.2 trillion yuan, an increase of 11.8%.

In terms of supporting the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the customs authorities insist that “opening-up” can be achieved by way of “management.” We have drafted the “Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Supervision of the Hainan Free Trade Port ,” and continuously promoted the implementation of early harvest policies such as “zero tariffs" to deliver results. We have accelerated the expansion of the pilot project of the "first-line release, second-line control" import and export policy system, approving and issuing a list of pilot enterprises. We have formed a "Key Work List" for the entire island's customs closed-up operation, and worked out timetables and wall chart operations to prepare for a comprehensive stress test. In the past two years, the import and export of goods at the Hainan Free Trade Port have developed rapidly. After exceeding 100 billion yuan for the first time in 2021, it reached a new level in 2022, breaking through the 200 billion yuan mark for the first time, reaching 200.95 billion yuan, an increase of 36.8%. Among them, the export value was 72.26 billion yuan, an increase of 120.7%, and the import value was 128.69 billion yuan, an increase of 12.8%. Thank you.

Tianmu News:

We have noticed that China is now managing COVID-19 with measures against Class B infectious diseases and it is no longer included in the management of quarantine infectious diseases. What work have the customs authorities done regarding epidemic prevention and control at ports and stations? Thank you!

Lyu Daliang:

Thank you for your question. Since the emergence of COVID-19, China Customs has fully implemented the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, preventing infections and imported cases at ports. We have carried out strict health and quarantine measures for inbound travelers and public transportation. Science-based and targeted measures have been taken to prevent infections of personnel, goods and the environment, to prevent the import of multiple diseases, and to prevent infections via land, sea and air transportation, making contributions to the country's fight against COVID-19.

After China started managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating category B infectious diseases an d no longer placed COVID-19 under quarantinable infectious disease management , in accordance with the plans of the State Council inter-agency task force and the Frontier Health and Quarantine Law of the People's Republic of China and its detailed regulations, China Customs has carried out relevant work in a steady, orderly and science-based manner.

First, we improved health and quarantine measures at ports for inbound travelers. Following the requirements of the State Council inter-agency task force, we no longer conduct nucleic acid tests on all inbound travelers. Inbound travelers' nucleic acid tests within 48 hours before departure have been included in the customs health status declaration. We have implemented regular health and quarantine measures, including conducting checks on health declaration cards, temperature screening, medical screening and epidemiological investigation. At the same time, we have adopted differentiated response measures based on the results shown on the health declaration cards.

Second, we improved quarantine measures for imported goods. Imported cold chain food will no longer undergo random nucleic acid testing and preventive disinfection measures. Meanwhile, we will continue to apply the strictest possible standards, oversight, punishment, and accountability to ensure food safety. We will maintain contact with the relevant departments of export countries and regions, and urge them to follow the guidelines put forward by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on preventing infections. As for non-cold chain products, there will no longer be risk assessments for COVID-19 infections and preventive disinfection measures. Since China started managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating category B infectious diseases and no longer placed COVID-19 under quarantinable infectious disease management on Jan. 8, customs clearance has been carried out in a smooth and orderly fashion. Thank you.

CNBC:

Question about the development of cross-border e-commerce in 2022. Are there any countries or regions that have purchased goods from China? What are these goods? What are the prospects for cross-border e-commerce this year?

Lyu Daliang: 

Thank you for your questions. First, I will outline the data on cross-border e-commerce. According to preliminary calculations, in 2022, China's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports totaled 2.11 trillion yuan, an increase of 9.8%, with exports and imports increasing by 11.7% and 4.9% to 1.55 trillion yuan and 0.56 trillion yuan, respectively. In recent years, cross-border e-commerce has witnessed rapid development. China has introduced a series of relevant supporting policies to further unleash potential and give full play to the advantages of cross-border e-commerce. Thank you.

China News Service:

We have noticed that ASEAN has remained China's largest foreign trade partner for three consecutive years. Last year, the total value of imports and exports between China and ASEAN grew by 15%. What are the reasons behind the rapid growth in trade between China and ASEAN? How do the customs authorities view the situation? Thank you.

Lyu Daliang:

Thank you for your questions. The bilateral economic and trade exchanges between China and ASEAN have become closer since the two parties established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. Last year, the total volume of imports and exports between China and ASEAN reached 6.52 trillion yuan, an increase of 15%. The volume of exports reached 3.79 trillion yuan, an increase of 21.7%, and the volume of imports reached 2.73 trillion yuan, an increase of 6.8%. During this period, ASEAN saw its proportion in China's foreign trade increase by 1 percentage point from 2021 to 15.5%, maintaining its position as China's largest trade partner.

Specifically, the factors contributing to the rapid growth in trade between China and ASEAN can mainly be attributed to the following aspects.

First, the effective implementation of RCEP has brought trade-creation effects and facilitated cooperation among industrial chains. Over the past year since the implementation of RCEP, the policy dividends have continued to be unleashed, contributing to closer economic and trade exchanges among countries in the region. ASEAN is an important trade partner of China in RCEP. In 2022, China's imports and exports with ASEAN accounted for 50.3% of its total imports and exports with other RCEP members. China's imports and exports of intermediate products with ASEAN increased 16.2% to 4.36 trillion yuan, accounting for 67% of China's total imports and exports with ASEAN.

Second, the ever-improving interconnectivity has facilitated economic and trade exchanges. With the solid progress of the construction of the new western land-sea corridor, the passage of goods in and out of China and ASEAN has become more convenient. Various modes of transportation have developed in a coordinated way, with railway transportation showing significant growth. In 2022, China's imports and exports with ASEAN by rail, water and air increased by 197.6%, 26.7% and 15.5%, respectively. The opening of the China-Laos Railway at the end of 2021 has provided new impetus to further deepen economic and trade cooperation between China and relevant countries. In 2022, among the goods transported by rail between China and ASEAN, 44.7% were through the China-Laos Railway, contributing more than 60% to the growth of imports and exports by rail between China and ASEAN.

Third, cooperation on agricultural goods has deepened, leading to an expansion in imports. In recent years, China has accelerated the pace of importing agricultural products from ASEAN members and continued to optimize quarantine access procedures for agricultural products and other key products. Various agricultural products, such as fresh durians from Vietnam, longans from Cambodia, and passion fruits from Laos, have gained new quarantine access in China. In 2022, the total value of agricultural products China imported from ASEAN rose 21.3% to 246.86 billion yuan, accounting for 15.7% of China's total imports of agricultural products in the same period, 1.4 percentage points higher than the previous year.

Economic and trade relations between China and ASEAN have a solid foundation and great potential for development. Looking forward, the two sides will enjoy broad areas of cooperation, integrated development strategies and smooth trade exchanges. Driven by the continuous improvement of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, China-ASEAN trade is expected to achieve new and greater development. Thank you.

Nihon Keizai Shimbun:

We've been keeping an eye on trade between China and Russia. Could you share the data on China-Russia trade in 2022 and the GACC's assessment of trade between the two countries last year? Thank you.

Lyu Daliang:

Thank you for your question. I'll brief you on the relevant data on China-Russia trade. According to customs statistics, our imports and exports with Russia reached 1.28 trillion yuan in 2022, accounting for 3% of China's total foreign trade. In terms of scale, China-Russia trade maintained steady growth in 2022, and bilateral trade reached a new high. Thank you.

Nanfang Daily:

It has been one year since RCEP came into effect, and the benefits continue to be realized. Could you share with us the details about China's trade with other RCEP countries? What has the GACC done to promote the implementation of RCEP? And what has been achieved? Thank you.

Lyu Daliang:

Thank you for your questions. On Jan. 1, 2023, we marked the first anniversary of RCEP coming into effect. Over the past year, China has implemented RCEP with a high level of quality, reaped numerous policy dividends, and further promoted regional economic integration. According to customs statistics, China's imports and exports to the 14 other RCEP member countries in 2022 reached 12.95 trillion yuan, a 7.5% increase, accounting for 30.8% of China's total imports and exports. The trade has the following characteristics:

First, the proportion of imports and exports has steadily increased. As RCEP policy dividends continued to be released, its role in promoting intra-regional trade became more evident. From the first to the fourth quarter, China's imports and exports to other RCEP member countries accounted for 30.4%, 30.5%, 30.7% and 31.4% of China's total import and export in the same period, respectively.

Second, the trade has been dynamic. In 2022, China's trade with eight RCEP member countries exceeded double-digit growth, among which Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos all experienced growth of over 20%. Our trade with the ROK was the largest among RCEP countries, reaching 2.41 trillion yuan, a 3.2% increase.

Third, industrial cooperation has been strengthened. In 2022, China's imports and exports of intermediate products to other RCEP member countries reached 8.7 trillion yuan, an 8.5% increase, accounting for 67.2% of China's total imports and exports with other RCEP member countries in the same period. In terms of major commodities, China's exports of mechanical and electrical products and labor-intensive products to other RCEP member countries went up by 13.2% and 20.7%, respectively. Electronic components, batteries and automobiles increased by 15%, 50.3% and 71.6%, respectively. China's imports of mechanical and electrical products, metal ore and ore sands, and consumer goods from other RCEP member countries accounted for 46.2%, 10.4%, and 10.2%, respectively. The import of energy products such as crude oil and natural gas also grew rapidly.

Fourth, private enterprises have had a strong performance. In 2022, the import and export of private enterprises to other RCEP member countries reached 6.56 trillion yuan, up 17.4%. This accounted for 50.6% of China's total imports and exports to other RCEP member countries in the same period, an increase of 4.3 percentage points over the previous year. 

Over the past year, the GACC has resolutely implemented the requirements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on RCEP implementation and conscientiously carried out various customs-related work.

First, together with the Ministry of Commerce and four other departments, we jointly issued the Guidelines on High-Quality RCEP Implementation, breaking down and refining 16 key tasks in three aspects and promoting the special evaluation of the implementation of RCEP-related measures at customs across the country. Second, we focused on the rules of RCEP in the field of customs inspection and quarantine, and improved relevant rules and regulations. We upgraded the customs operating system, standardized and simplified customs procedures, and continuously optimized the customs clearance process, in a bid to improve customs clearance efficiency and reduce costs. Third, we actively served enterprises, helping them seize the opportunities of RCEP and making full use of various preferential policies. Through publicity, training, seminars, visits and translation of regulations and standards of RCEP member countries, we helped them tap the RCEP market. We have built an enterprise-oriented service system targeting the role of RCEP in reducing technical barriers to trade, and released the interpretation of relevant measures and policies of RCEP members through the official Customs 12360 WeChat account and our portal website. We have introduced the approved exporter system, intelligent verification and self-printing of the RCEP certificates of origin, and other facilitation measures, providing quality services and guarantees for enterprises to enjoy benefits. Thank you.

Hong Kong Bauhinia Magazine:

As mentioned in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, the Belt and Road Initiative has become a popular international public good and cooperation platform. Last year, China's trade with countries along the Belt and Road grew faster than the overall growth rate. What are the highlights? Thanks!

Lyu Daliang:

Thanks for your question. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Since its proposal, China's trade with countries along the Belt and Road has become increasingly close. From 2013 to 2022, China's imports and exports with countries along the Belt and Road registered an average annual growth of 8.6%. In 2022, China's trade with countries along the Belt and Road continued to maintain rapid growth, with imports and exports rising 19.4% year on year to 13.83 trillion yuan, 11.7 percentage points higher than the overall growth rate. Among them, exports hit 7.89 trillion yuan, up 20%, and imports reached 5.94 trillion yuan, up 18.7%. Major highlights include the following aspects.

First, its share of China's foreign trade continued to rise. In 2022, China's import and export volume with countries along the Belt and Road reached a record high, accounting for 32.9% of China's total foreign trade, up 3.2 percentage points from the previous year and 7.9 percentage points from 2013 when the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed. 

Second, China's imports and exports with the five Central Asian countries, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other trading partners grew rapidly. In 2022, China's imports and exports with the five Central Asian countries, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia increased by 45.4%, 42.1% and 37.2%, respectively. In the same period, China's imports and exports with ASEAN increased by 15% to 6.52 trillion yuan, accounting for 47.1% of the total value of China's imports and exports with countries along the Belt and Road.

Third, the industrial and supply chains between China and BRI countries have become even more complementary. In 2022, China's exports of intermediate products to BRI countries amounted to 4.44 trillion yuan, up 23.9%, accounting for 56.3% of China's total exports to BRI countries during the same period. Specifically, exports of textiles, electronic components, basic organic chemicals, and auto parts increased by 14.5%, 21.1%, 31.3%, and 24.6%, respectively. In the same period, China's imports of energy and agricultural products saw steady growth, reaching 2.46 trillion yuan and 370.41 billion yuan, up 58.8% and 13.4%, respectively.

Fourth, trade between China's private businesses and BRI countries has shown greater vitality. In 2022, the foreign trade of China's private companies with BRI countries totaled 7.85 trillion yuan, up 26.7%. The figure accounts for 56.8% of China's total trade volume with BRI countries in the same period, up 3.3 percentage points compared with the previous year.

In 2022, the GACC earnestly studied and put into practice the guiding principles of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the third symposium on the BRI. The GACC took the initiative to promote trade facilitation and security, and work toward the high-quality development of the BRI. First, Chinese customs actively expanded imports of high-quality agricultural products and foods from BRI countries. In 2022, Chinese customs signed 73 documents on inspection and quarantine cooperation with BRI countries, offering quarantine access or enabling trading activities for 60 kinds of agricultural products and foods. Second, focusing on BRI countries, Chinese customs promoted international mutual accreditation of and cooperation on Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs and advanced cooperation and exchanges on "single-window customs clearance" for international trade to further improve trade facilitation. Third, Chinese customs doubled efforts to streamline customs clearance procedures for China-Europe freight trains. At the beginning of 2022, the Partnership Program of Customs-Railway Operators for Promoting the Safety and Rapid Customs Clearance of China Railway Express (PPCR) between China and Kazakhstan began its trial phase at the Alashankou Port and Horgos Port. The PPCR arrangement between China and Belarus is also making accelerated progress in a bid to promote unimpeded trade.

Looking ahead, the customs authorities will focus on the high-quality development of the BRI, put into practice the concept of "Smart Customs, Smart Borders, Smart Connectivity ," and broaden and deepen cooperation with customs agencies of BRI countries and regions. In this way, we aim to make greater contributions to promoting policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, and unimpeded trade. Thank you.

Red Star News:

Since last year, China has introduced a package of policies and follow-up measures to keep the economy stable. What efforts have the customs authorities made to ensure a steady increase in both the volume and quality of foreign trade? Thank you.

Lyu Daliang:

Thank you for your question. In 2022, the customs authorities resolutely implemented the guiding principles of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions. We acted in accordance with the key requirements of ensuring effective COVID-19 containment, economic stability, and development security. The customs authorities have effectively coordinated the COVID-19 response with the efforts to ensure the stable growth of foreign trade, facilitated the implementation of the policy package and follow-up measures on keeping the economy stable, and spared no effort in ensuring a steady increase in both the volume and quality of foreign trade. Our actions can be mainly summarized in the following aspects.

First, we urged all customs authorities to fully implement the policies and measures for ensuring stable performance in foreign trade. The GACC successively introduced 10 measures to promote stable and improved performance in foreign trade, six measures to support small- and medium-sized enterprises, and seven measures to ease businesses' difficulties and lower their costs. Customs authorities at all levels acted accordingly, rolled out more than 1,300 detailed supporting measures according to specific conditions and the needs of enterprises, and redoubled their efforts in terms of protecting the interests of market entities, optimizing the customs clearance environment for the smooth flow of cross-border logistics, and safeguarding the stability and security of industrial and supply chains based on more careful analysis so as to ensure steady growth in foreign trade.

Second, to keep the operations of foreign trade firms stable, we provided consistent support, improved long-term service mechanisms, and helped them secure orders, expand markets and solve problems. We deepened the reform of diversified customs tax guarantees. We also promoted the practice of a subsidiary applying for customs guarantees with letters issued by the financial company of its parent to further reduce enterprises' financing costs and tax payments during customs clearance. "One policy for one enterprise" helped specialized and sophisticated enterprises that produce new and unique products and top enterprises of various industries to effectively use preferential measures regarding tax reduction and exemption, bonded material circulation, and so on. We supported more enterprises in becoming Advanced Certified Enterprises , facilitated the international mutual recognition of AEOs, and worked to enable enterprises to enjoy the same conveniences at home and abroad. In 2022, an additional 365 enterprises were classified as Advanced Certified Enterprises. We strengthened customs protection of intellectual property rights to inspire enterprises' enthusiasm for innovation. A total of 21,000 protection filings were added, registering an increase of 21%.

Third, to optimize the business environment at ports, we took special-purpose actions to promote cross-border trade facilitation, launched 10 facilitation measures in collaboration with other departments, promoted the application of single-window document processing for international trade, and consolidated the achievements in shortening customs clearance time. We increased the input of manpower and resources for customs clearance at ports, piloted shipside pickup for imported goods and direct loading upon arrival for exported goods at qualified ports, supported the expansion of pilot programs, such as "departure confirmation" and other models, and made every effort to ensure safe and smooth customs clearance at ports and facilitate the import and export of goods. In December 2022, the overall customs clearance time for imports and exports across the country was 32.02 hours and 1.03 hours, respectively, 67.1% and 91.6% shorter than in 2017.

Fourth, to foster new growth drivers in foreign trade, we have continued publicizing policies and measures for cross-border e-commerce. We have promoted central warehouses for the return of imported cross-border e-commerce retail goods and the B2B export supervision model, introduced measures to support enterprises in setting up overseas export warehouses, and continuously improved the quality and level of cross-border e-commerce development. As I said just now, China's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports climbed 9.8% year on year to 2.11 trillion yuan in 2022, of which exports were 1.55 trillion yuan, an increase of 11.7%, and imports were 0.56 trillion yuan, an increase of 4.9%.

In the next stage, customs authorities will thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, conscientiously implement the decisions and deployment of the Central Economic Work Conference, continue to ensure the full implementation of policies and measures for keeping the economy stable, and go all out to maintain the scale and improve the structure of foreign trade so as to make new contributions to steady economic development. Thanks.

Xing Huina:

Today's press conference is hereby concluded. Thank you, Mr. Lyu. Thank you to all our friends from the media. Goodbye.

Translated and edited by Lin Liyao, Liu Qiang, Mi Xingang, Yuan Fang, Yan Bin, Zhou Jing, Cui Can, Huang Shan, Qin Qi, Wang Wei, Yan Xiaoqing, Zhang Rui, Xiang Bin, Zhu Bochen, Zhang Liying, Liu Sitong, Wang Qian, Wang Yiming, Yang Xi, Xu Xiaoxuan, Li Huiru, David Ball, Tom Arnsten, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.