Chinese customs to support new free trade zones

BEIJING - China's national customs authority said Tuesday that it had unveiled a slew of measures in support of seven new free trade zones (FTZs) that opened this month.

To bolster the development of FTZs in the provinces of Liaoning, Zhejiang, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan and Shaanxi as well as Chongqing municipality, the country will find new ways to facilitate foreign trade, the General Administration of Customs said in a statement.

Customs authorities will promote internet-based customs services, seek integrated customs clearance and build "single windows" for foreign trade procedures, according to the statement.

Chinese customs will also tap the role of new types of foreign trade in sustaining growth and restructuring, including cultural trade, cross-border e-commerce and service outsourcing.

The country will also create a law-based business environment and safeguard fair trade order, such as protecting intellectual property rights according to law, the statement said.

Seven new zones opened April 1, bringing the total number of FTZs in China to 11.