A bird's-eye view of a ship full of containers sailing off the coast of Xiamen, Fujian province. [Photo by Wang Xieyun/Xiamen Daily]
Statistics show that in the first quarter, Xiamen Customs and the Xiamen Commission of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade issued 2,279 RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) certificates of origin worth $170 million to 283 companies.
The certificates were issued for products including agricultural products, umbrellas, clothes, stone materials, medical products, and eco-friendly plastic bags exported mainly to Japan, which received a total tariff reduction of 14.5 million yuan ($2.28 million).
Behind Xiamen's trade boost is the city's advantageous measures for RCEP agreement.
For example, the municipal bureau of commerce organized detailed plans and actions in August 2021 for the RCEP agreement to take effect, in order to promote high-level development of Xiamen's opening-up.
On Jan 10, Xiamen Port opened a new shipping route linking ports in the RCEP member countries such as Vietnam and Thailand, which was recognized as Xiamen Port's first RCEP route since the RCEP agreement took effect on Jan 1.
In addition, the RCEP public service platform, which was initiated by the municipal bureau of commerce, was launched officially on March 30 to provide one-stop services, according to the RCEP agreement for Xiamen companies.
With the yearly tariff reduction since the RCEP agreement took effect on Jan 1, and Japan's second import tariff reduction since April 1, the RCEP agreement will further enhance the competitiveness of trade among RCEP member countries and bring more opportunities for exporters to expand the RCEP market.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
