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E-mail China.org.cn, August 21, 2024
Phoenix TV:
We are interested in imports. In recent years, China has launched a series of policies to actively expand imports. The country has also ranked as the world's second-largest importer for many consecutive years. Could you elaborate on how China intends to share its development opportunities with the world through expanding imports? What specific measures and plans have the customs authorities implemented to expand imports? Thank you.
Zhao Zenglian:
You've raised excellent questions. There's a well-known saying, "A single flower does not herald spring; it is when a hundred flowers bloom that spring truly arrives in the garden." I would like to invite my colleague Mr. Lyu to answer your questions.
Lyu Daliang:
Since the 18th CPC National Congress, our country has implemented policies and measures to actively expand imports. Notably, we have established the world's first national import-themed expo, the China International Import Expo (CIIE), held annually for six consecutive years. The expo, celebrated as the "golden gateway" to the Chinese market, vividly demonstrates our commitment to sharing our development achievements with the world. We have expanded market access in an orderly manner, including approving the import of 477 varieties of high-quality agricultural products based on scientific assessments. We have also unilaterally opened our markets wider to the least developed countries, aimed at promoting mutual growth. Additionally, we have voluntarily reduced tariffs, resulting in the country's overall tariff level of 7.3%, which aligns closely with the average level of developed countries.
According to statistics, our efforts to expand imports have yielded substantial results. As previously noted, China has maintained its position as the second-largest importer for many years, with total imports rising from 11.49 trillion yuan in 2012 to 17.99 trillion yuan in 2023. Our consumer market continues to grow, driving cumulative imports of consumer goods to surpass 16 trillion yuan. The opportunities provided by the Chinese market benefit countries worldwide. In 2023, our imports originated from over 200 countries and regions worldwide, with imports of agricultural and electromechanical products from the least developed countries doubling from 2012.
We have implemented various measures to fulfil the national directive to expand imports. For instance, we have tailored clearance facilitation measures for each CIIE. Since the inaugural 2018 CIIE, we have introduced the innovative measure to support bonded exhibition and trading on an ongoing basis, effectively making the expo's effects permanent. We have refined inspection and supervision procedures for bulk commodities such as energy resources. By adopting the "release before inspection" approach for low-risk mineral products, we have effectively reduced clearance time. For high-tech items requiring vacuum packing, light-proof packaging, or constant temperature storage, we have introduced a new supervisory model that minimizes port interventions, enhancing the security and efficiency of customs clearance. Additionally, we have established a "green channel" for fresh agricultural products and expedited port clearance for them, ensuring that imported fresh produce retains its freshness for longer.
The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee emphasized the need to seize the initiative by opening China's commodity, services, capital, and labor markets wider to the outside world in an orderly manner. China's door will only open wider. Moving forward, the customs authorities will implement the decisions and plans of the Party Central Committee, further innovate the supervision of import clearance and support the development of key open platforms, such as the CIIE and the China International Consumer Products Expo. Recently, we introduced the Facilitation Measures of the Customs for the Seventh China International Import Expo of 2024 and released the Customs Clearance Notice to facilitate smooth customs clearance for participating enterprises. We will also take prudent and well-ordered steps to expand market access for agricultural and food products, innovate inspection and quarantine modes as well as broaden the scope of pilot programs for "release before inspection" and third-party certification. This will provide improved customs clearance supervision and services, support the expansion of imports and turn China's huge market into a significant opportunity for the world.
That's all for my answer. Thank you.
