Shou Xiaoli:

The last two questions.

International Business Daily:

New business forms such as cross-border e-commerce have become important forces in stabilizing foreign trade. What are the highlights of the development of cross-border e-commerce in 2023? What measures has the GACC taken to support the development of cross-border e-commerce?

Wang Lingjun:

Perhaps everyone present is involved in cross-border e-commerce. I'd like to invite Mr. Lyv to answer these questions.

Lyu Daliang:

Thank you for your questions. Cross-border e-commerce, closely related to consumers, has attracted widespread public attention. Currently, it has become an emerging powerhouse for global trade. With over 1 billion netizens, China is the largest online retail market, and its cross-border e-commerce is rapidly developing. According to initial estimates, in 2023, China's cross-border e-commerce imports and exports reached 2.38 trillion yuan, up 15.6% year on year. Exports totaled 1.83 trillion yuan, up 19.6% year on year, while imports stood at 548.3 billion yuan, up 3.9%. The number of consumers engaged in cross-border e-commerce imports has increased annually, reaching 163 million in 2023. The rapid development of cross-border e-commerce enables people to buy and sell anywhere, meeting domestic consumers' diverse and personal needs and contributing to the global reach of China's products, thus becoming an important growth driver for foreign trade.

In 2023, the GACC implemented specific measures in response to the trends and characteristics of cross-border e-commerce, advancing comprehensive reform in supervision, launching innovative trial reforms, and continuing to enhance the efficacy of supervision and service, thereby strongly supporting the sustainable and healthy development of cross-border e-commerce. First, in response to the demands of e-commerce enterprises, we introduced an online tax payment function and facilitated customs clearance, further helping enterprises reduce operational costs. Second, we piloted a program for the return of cross-border e-commerce retail import and export goods across customs zones and continued to improve return measures, effectively addressing enterprises' and consumers' concerns in this area. Returns, although undesirable, are sometimes unavoidable. Third, we have maintained a focus on food safety issues abroad, releasing early warning messages in a timely manner to ensure the safety of every bite of food consumed. Fourth, we have strengthened cooperation with cross-border e-commerce platform enterprises, enhanced the cultivation of enterprise credit, and guided enterprises to operate in compliance with rules and regulations, promoting the high-quality and healthy development of cross-border e-commerce.

The Central Economic Work Conference has proposed expanding cross-border e-commerce exports. In 2024, the GACC will resolutely implement the guiding principles of the CPC Central Committee. It will focus on the difficulties and problems hindering the development of cross-border e-commerce, continue to deepen reforms in this area, advance intelligent supervision over cross-border e-commerce, ensure the quality and safety of imported and exported products, facilitate customs clearance, and improve the efficacy of customs supervision as well as increase the sense of gains of relevant enterprises and consumers.

Thank you.