China Customs and the WCO agree to strengthen cooperation

Brussels, 26 June 2012

Report

Minister Yu Guangzhou of China Customs, accompanied by Ambassador Wu Hailong, visited WCO Headquarters on 26 June 2012 for discussions with Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya on matters of common interest.

The Minister advised that China wished to enhance cooperation in four areas: Customs-to-Customs cooperation, exemplified by the Smart Secure Trade Lanes project with the EU and the imminent signing of a mutual recognition agreement of AEO programmes with Singapore; Customs-to-business partnership, evidenced by the successful Global Customs and Trade Forum held in Guangzhou in November 2011; Customs-to-other border agency coordination, for which China is willing to share its experience; and increased cooperation with the WCO.

In addition, the Minister indicated that China Customs planned to increase its participation in WCO Committee meetings, to step up its capacity building support, including the active use of its Regional Training Centre in Shanghai and making experts available, to participate actively in enforcement activities, and to second China Customs staff to the WCO Secretariat.

Secretary General Mikuriya appreciated the proposal and offer, since engaging China in WCO activities is indispensable to sustaining global trade and the Customs system. Minister Yu and the Secretary General agreed to strengthen cooperation and explore concrete ways forward for future action and collaboration.