Kathmandu— During a recent meeting in Dalian, China, Zhang Baofeng, deputy chief of the General Administration of Customs, urged APEC economies to prioritize the elimination of trade barriers and enhance supply chain resilience. The call came as global supply chains face increasing fragmentation, highlighting the urgency for coordinated efforts to ensure stability and efficiency within the Asia-Pacific region. The meeting, the second plenary of the 2026 APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP), focused on deepening alignment of rules, strengthening risk management, and improving customs clearance processes.

Regional Economic Significance

The Asia-Pacific region is a critical driver of global economic growth, representing over 60 percent of the world’s economy and nearly half of global trade while being home to one-third of the world's population. China’s trade with other APEC economies reached 18 trillion yuan (approximately $2.65 trillion USD) in the first seven months of this year, a 21 percent increase year-on-year – exceeding the growth rate of China’s overall foreign trade and demonstrating strong potential for continued regional collaboration.

Focus on Digital Innovation

Participants at the meeting explored smart devices and exchanged ideas regarding cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence, smart customs initiatives, and cross-border e-commerce. China's customs authority shared its progress with the 'smart customs partnership program' and showcased achievements in developing intelligent customs systems. The APEC SCCP approved a document focused on promoting technology and innovation to enhance trade security and facilitation.

Three-Point Cooperation Proposal

Zhang Baofeng outlined a three-point proposal for deepening APEC customs cooperation, emphasizing the importance of multilateralism and building an open, inclusive Asia-Pacific region. He also advocated leveraging digital technologies to reshape customs governance paradigms and balancing security with facilitation to support lasting prosperity through resilient supply chains. His remarks underscored the need for coordinated action to address evolving trade challenges.

The APEC SCCP meeting concluded with a consensus on key areas of cooperation, paving the way for continued discussions and implementation of initiatives aimed at strengthening regional trade and economic stability as China prepares to chair the committee in 2026.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.