(Photo 2: "Seminar on International Customs Cooperation and Customs Clearance Facilitation" was held in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on May 17.)
BEIJING -- Chinese and overseas customs should deepen interconnection mechanism to facilitate customs clearance under the Belt and Road Initiative, said customs officials attending the Seminar on International Customs Cooperation and Customs Clearance Facilitation in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
In 2015, customs from 70 countries and regions along the Belt and Road as well as 8 international organizations reached 6 consensuses on boosting interconnection via improving customs clearance convenience in a forum jointly held by China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) and Shaanxi provincial government.
"GAC has taken concrete measures to realize interconnection, including upgrading convenience on border transportation, simplifying customs formalities, facilitating construction of a land-sea express passage between China and Europe, and conducting mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) with overseas customs, in a bid to make more Chinese enterprises to enjoy customs clearance convenience abroad," noted Li Ming, deputy director of the Department of International Cooperation under GAC.
At present, China has reached international mutual recognition agreement with Singapore, the Republic of Korea and European Union, and been negotiating with Japan, Kazakhstan, Isreal, Switzerland and Brazil in this regard.
Zhang Xiaoning, deputy secretary general of Shaanxi provincial government, said that Shaanxi Province has rolled out a "one-stop" mode for the cooperation between customs and inspection and quarantine departments. Designated ports for imported grain and meal have been given approval.
"Xi'an Customs has established cooperative mechanism with customs of Kazakhstan aiming to promote trade safety and convenience," according to Gu Qin, director of Xi'an Customs.
Meanwhile, Xi'an Customs has promoted reform on customs clearance integration in Xi'an International Trade & Logistics Park and realized interaction with import and export ports of countries along the Belt and Road.
Li Ming noted that GAC will enhance international cooperation with its overseas counterparts and promote electronic customs clearance with an aim to promote the steady development of international trade.
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