Hong Kong Customs: Strengthening cooperation partnerships in the e-commerce ecosystem.

As the Vice Chair of the World Customs Organization Asia-Pacific Region, the Hong Kong Customs, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), successfully completed a three-day conference on optimizing processes and best practices in e-commerce. The Commissioner of Hong Kong Customs, Chen Zida, welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation among partners in the e-commerce ecosystem, as well as discussing and promoting the future development of e-commerce in the Asia-Pacific region. He highlighted that streamlining customs clearance processes and accelerating the flow of goods not only facilitate trade facilitation but also enhance the efficiency of customs operations. Finding a balance between facilitation and enforcement is crucial for maintaining the security and stability of cross-border trade. Dr. Bernard Chan, the Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development in Hong Kong, noted that e-commerce is rapidly growing globally, and Hong Kong serves as a pioneer in connecting global markets, especially with ASEAN and other partners in the Asia-Pacific region. He stressed the need for policymakers to closely collaborate with stakeholders to create an environment conducive to the healthy development of e-commerce. The government is committed to establishing Hong Kong as a cross-border e-commerce logistics hub, focusing on improving the efficiency of cross-border goods delivery and enhancing infrastructure connectivity to strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness and develop it into a leading e-commerce hub.