Chinese authorities announced Thursday a set of measures to further enhance the efficiency of customs clearance and passenger transit at the nation's airports.
Jointly issued by the General Administration of Customs, the National Immigration Administration, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the measures focused on accelerating the flow of both cargo and passengers through China's major air hubs.
The measures involve the optimization and expansion of 24/7 customs clearance systems at major airports in key regions, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta region, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Chengdu-Chongqing area.
The measures also aim to strengthen the "Air Silk Road" initiative, which was launched in 2014 to operate air freight services along multiple routes between China and Europe.
In addition, pilot programs will be carried out for direct loading of export cargo and direct pickup of imported cargo at eligible airports.
On the passenger side, the measures include promoting electronic quarantine inspections for international flights. At eligible airports, measures aimed at facilitating border inspection procedures will be steadily implemented for passengers going through a 24-hour visa-free transit and for crew members in direct round trips.
The measures also encourage efforts to explore pilot programs for "dual pre-inspection" of both carry-on and checked luggage for inbound travelers.
To boost the development of key aviation hubs, the measures encourage airlines to increase the deployment of all-cargo aircraft, and to increase the frequency of regular international all-cargo routes.
The measures support the "one-ticket-to-the-end" services for international flights that include transits within China.
China introduces new measures to enhance airport clearance efficiency
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi outlined five key points for the proper resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue during his meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Sergey Alexeevich and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in Beijing on Friday.
The Russian and Iranian deputy foreign ministers were in Beijing to attend a meeting chaired by Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on the same day. Following the meeting, China, Russia, and Iran jointly issued a statement reaffirming that political and diplomatic engagement, along with dialogue, remains the only viable and practical approach to addressing the Iranian nuclear issue.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, described the meeting and its outcome as an important step in the right direction.
Unilateral sanctions will only escalate tensions, while dialogue remains the only viable solution, Wang emphasized.
Wang's five-point proposition is as follows:
First, stay committed to peaceful settlement of disputes through political and diplomatic means, and oppose the use of force and illegal sanctions.
Second, stay committed to balancing rights and responsibilities, and take a holistic approach to the goals of nuclear nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Third, stay committed to the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as the basis for new consensus.
Fourth, stay committed to promoting cooperation through dialogue, and oppose pressing for intervention by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Fifth, stay committed to a step-by-step and reciprocal approach, and seek consensus through consultation.
Ryabkov and Gharibabadi expressed their gratitude to China for hosting the meeting, commended its constructive role, and reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Chinese FM proposes five points on proper settlement of Iranian nuclear issue
