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E-mail China.org.cn, April 28, 2024
Zhinews of Shenzhen Satellite TV:
The Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin officially started closed-loop operation on March 1. What achievements have the customs authorities made in safeguarding the closed-loop operation of the zone? And how will the customs authorities continue to support the construction of the zone going forward? Thank you.
Lyu Daliang:
As this year marks the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, there is heightened interest in matters concerning Macao. As a reporter from Shenzhen, you might have a keen interest in Hong Kong and Macao affairs. I would like to share some updates on the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is a significant decision personally planned, deployed and promoted by General Secretary Xi Jinping. The customs authorities have implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, focusing on the original intention of developing and constructing the zone, based on the integrated development of Hengqin and Macao and vigorously promoting the high-quality development of the zone. Since this January, we have successively introduced the Supervision Measures for the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and eight supporting customs business announcements. We strive to construct an intelligent customs supervision system that aligns with the high-standard development of the zone, ensuring effective management, openness, efficiency and good user experience.
Hengqin is known for its dual-tier management system, comprising the "first line" and the "second line." The "first line," oriented toward Macao, has seen customs actively seek alignment with Macao's rules and mechanisms, significantly simplifying customs supervision procedures. For example, to expedite vehicle traffic, Guangdong and Macao have implemented "one-time collection, separate processing, and joint inspection and release" for cross-border vehicles, reducing overall clearance time by 50%. For smoother passenger travel, we have implemented a "cooperative inspection, one-time release" mode for health quarantine, set up a "new home" express lane for inbound traffic, and introduced a "one-time clearance" inspection mode for outbound, enhancing the clearance experience of passengers. To accelerate goods clearance, we have adopted a series of measures such as "guaranteed qualification and compliance verification" for Macao-origin goods and "triple linkage and triple consistency" supervision for fresh aquatic products supplied to Macao, actively promoting the connection of inspection and quarantine rules between Hengqin and Macao.
Statistics show that in the first month of closed-loop operation, customs authorities oversaw roughly 1.759 million inbound and outbound crossings on the "first line" and handled 170,000 instances of vehicles entering and exiting. Among them, the "new home" express lane saw over 140,000 passages, while the "one-time clearance" process was used in excess of 740,000 instances.
Regarding the "second line," which deals with the mainland areas outside of Hengqin, the customs authorities have maintained a balance between coordinated development and security, deepening collaborative governance with local authorities. We have pioneered a five-sphere regulatory model integrating classification, risk, intelligence, credit and coordination. This approach has enabled precise and intensive supervision, minimizing the impact on the circulation of goods and items, and striving for greater convenience in the circulation of resources. In the first month of closed-loop operation, vehicles were released from the outbound area over 1.46 million times, and people passed through approximately 4.47 million times, with all lanes running in a smooth and orderly manner, and customs supervision mechanisms operating efficiently and smoothly.
Next, customs authorities will continue to implement various policies and measures, fully support and serve the high-quality development of the cooperation zone, and promote the implementation of the first-phase construction goals and tasks outlined in the general plan for building a Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Thank you.
Shou Xiaoli:
Thank you, Mr. Wang and Mr. Lyu, and thank you to all friends from the media for you participation. That hereby concludes today's press conference. Goodbye.
Translated and edited by Zhu Bochen, Wang Qian, Cui Can, Ma Yujia, Liu Caiyi, Zhang Junmian, Yan Bin, Huang Shan, Lin Liyao, Zhou Jing, Mi Xingang, Li Xiao, Qin Qi, Wang Yanfang, Wang Ziteng, Liu Qiang, Li Huiru, David Ball, Rochelle Beiersdorfer, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
