WCO Secretary General participates virtually in International Customs Day celebration by China

On 26 January 2022, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) participated in a hybrid event hosted by China Customs to celebrate the International Customs Day (ICD). The Vice-Minister Wang Lingjun of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) and other GACC representatives attended the celebration on site. Secretary General Mikuriya, Representatives from other Government bodies and Customs Attachés from nearly 30 countries and regions, as well as Chinese Customs officers from regional Customs districts joined the event virtually.

In his remarks, Vice-Minister Wang Lingjun shared China Customs' progress in implementing Chinese President Xi Jinping's "Smart Customs, Smart Borders and Smart Connectivity" (3S) Initiative. He proposed that the global Customs community jointly builds Smart Customs through advanced technologies and innovative approaches, fosters Smart Borders through information sharing and mutual recognition, and achieves Smart Connectivity through closer cooperation with all stakeholders.

Secretary General Mikuriya commended China Customs' achievements in implementing the 3S Initiative, suggesting that it is in line with the WCO's objectives of capitalizing on technology and innovation and ensuring connectivity at borders, and encouraged the international Customs community to work together to enhance data management and digital transformation, in accordance with the WCO theme for this year.

The event included a panel discussion. Partners of several 3S pilot projects from China and seven other countries and regions shared their experience and views on how to further strengthen 3S cooperation among Customs and other stakeholders to boost economic and trade recovery. During the celebration, Vice-Minister Wang Lingjun awarded 21 Chinese Customs officers with the WCO Certificate of Merit for their exceptional service in promoting digital and smart development.