China: China's customs authorities to boost institutional innovation, tech empowerment to facilitate cross-border trade.

Storyline China's customs authorities to boost institutional innovation, tech empowerment to facilitate cross-border trade The General Administration of Customs of China or GACC says it will boost institutional innovation and tech empowerment to facilitate cross-border trade in the coming five years. GACC Head Sun Meijun made the remarks at a news conference. Sun Meijun, Head, General Administration of Customs of China: "In the coming five years, we will stick to the dual driver of 'institutional innovation + tech empowerment', and work to ensure both fast clearance and good management. Our effort will focus on three areas, that is, optimizing the regulator framework, boosting the regulatory efficacy, and making our regulatory model even smarter." The GACC's new measures include upgrading port infrastructure and further improving existing opening-up platforms, such as the Hainan Free Trade Port. Minister Sun also said China's foreign trade got off to a good start in the first half of 2026, which kicks off the country's 15th Five-Year Plan for development. Last week, China reported foreign trade surged nearly 17 percent to about 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars from January to June. Moreover, the GACC pledged to expand imports of advanced tech equipment, key components, energy resources and quality agricultural products over the next five years, while diversifying source countries. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]