At the 8th Summit of Central and Eastern European Countries & China held in 2019, the "Dubrovnik Guidelines for Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries" were released. The guidelines mentioned that "China and EU member states among the 16 countries will cooperate within the structures of the EU-China Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters and of the EU-China Strategic Framework for Customs Cooperation. Customs cooperation between China and CEECs will be conducted within their respective capabilities. Participants will explore the possibility of establishing a 16+1 Customs Information Center in Hungary."
On February 9, 2021, President Xi Jinping chaired the Summit of Central and Eastern European Countries & China, delivering a keynote speech and concluding remarks. During the summit, President Xi repeatedly addressed customs work, issuing clear directives for promoting the establishment of the China-CEEC Customs Information Center, exploring pilot cooperation on "Smart Customs, Smart Borders, Smart Connectivity," deepening collaboration on customs trade security and clearance facilitation, and accelerating the process for agricultural and food products' access to China.
Under the guidance of the important guiding principles from the speech at the summit, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) actively engaged with the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary(NTCA). This collaboration aimed to promote the NTCA to spearhead efforts with other Central and Eastern European customs authorities in jointly developing the blueprint and setting up its functions. After thorough preparations, the China-CEEC Customs Information Center (hereinafter referred to as the "Information Center") was officially inaugurated in Ningbo, China, on April 27, 2021.
The Information Center is sponsored by the General Administration of Customs of China and managed by Ningbo Customs District P.R. China. Its establishment is intended to implement the guiding principles from President Xi Jinping's important speech at the Summit of Central and Eastern European Countries & China, continuously deepen customs cooperation on trade security and clearance facilitation, and better serve the country's diplomatic agenda and high-level opening-up.
As an integral part of the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism, the Information Center provides an important platform for China Customs to strengthen friendly cooperation with inspection and quarantine departments of CEECs and promote trade facilitation. Also, it is the first tangible customs cooperation project implemented under the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism.
[Goal]
By fostering close connections between China Customs and its counterparts in CEECs, enhancing mutual benefit and trust, and actively implementing the concept of "Smart Customs, Smart Borders, Smart Connectivity," the goal is to support the broader China-CEEC cooperation agenda, boost bilateral economic and trade exchanges, and streamline customs clearance, culminating in the establishment of "three platforms" between China and CEEC customs:
(1) Communication and Exchange Platform: To timely release the latest laws, regulations, and policies, promote communication and exchange on customs, inspection, and quarantine laws, regulations, and policy measures between China and CEECs.
(2) Consultation Service Platform: To promptly respond to and resolve obstacles and difficulties faced by official bodies and the business community in various countries concerning cargo clearance and market access for agricultural and food products.
(3) Monitoring and Early Warning Platform: To conduct monitoring and early warning on China-CEEC trade situations, timely release China-CEEC trade dynamics, publish monitoring and early warning articles, and thereby contribute to trade growth.
[Organizational Structure]
The Information Center is sponsored by the General Administration of Customs and managed by Ningbo Customs District. Specifically, the CEE Information Cooperation Division of Ningbo Customs District is responsible for the comprehensive management, coordination, and international exchange and cooperation related to the Information Center's establishment under the guidance of the GACC's Department of International Cooperation.
[Main Responsibilities]
(1) Conduct communication and exchange, information release, and consultation responses regarding China-CEEC customs inspection and quarantine laws, regulations, and policy measures, thereby building an information hub for China-CEEC customs inspection and quarantine.
(2) Undertake the development and daily operation and maintenance management of the Information Center's website, and carry out content publishing and interactive communication on the website.
(3) Implement monitoring and early warning for China-CEEC trade situations, and release updates on China-CEEC trade developments.
(4) Assume the specific organization responsibilities for the China-CEEC Customs Inspection and Quarantine Cooperation Dialogue, and coordinate related matters for the China-CEEC Expo.
Address: 9 Mayuan Road, Haishu District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province
Email: cceeccic@163.com
Phone: 0574-89092037
China-CEEC Customs Information Center
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