China announced on March 17, 2026, a major expansion of its cross-border trade facilitation initiative, increasing pilot cities from 25 in 2025 to 45 this year. The General Administration of Customs (GAC) revealed the plan during a high-level deployment meeting, underscoring efforts to streamline global commerce amid evolving economic challenges.
New additions to the pilot program include Hohhot, Suzhou, Wuhan, and Xi'an, among others. The six-month campaign, jointly organized by the GAC and 23 government departments, will prioritize digital innovation, green trade practices, and alignment with international standards. Key measures include:
Advanced customs clearance systems to reduce processing times
Enhanced logistics infrastructure for cross-border e-commerce
Support for renewable energy integration in supply chains
Expanded services trade platforms for SMEs
GAC head Sun Meijun emphasized that the reforms aim to 'strengthen global economic circulation' while helping businesses adapt to market volatility. Since 2018, China has implemented 144 trade facilitation measures through similar campaigns, with 110 now operating nationwide.
The initiative aligns with China's commitments under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, reflecting ongoing support for multilateral trade systems. Analysts suggest the expansion could improve access to ASEAN and ROK markets while addressing supply chain pressures.
