Imported goods entering China through bonded areas at special customs supervision areas within its pilot free trade zones (FTZs) will face prevailing taxes and duties when they leave the bonded areas, the Ministry of Commerce confirmed on Thursday.
At a press conference, ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian responded to inquiries about whether U.S. goods entering China via FTZs might avoid newly imposed tariffs, saying that while bonded policies remain unchanged within these zones, imported goods, including those from the U.S., will still be subject to applicable tariffs when leaving the bonded areas for domestic sale.
"The pilot free trade zones (FTZs) are comprehensive pilot platforms for reform and opening-up, independently established by the Chinese government. Since their inception, these zones have consistently prioritized institutional innovation as their core mission, driven by high-standard openness. They have introduced a large number of groundbreaking and fundamental reform and opening-up measures, taking the lead in creating a first-class, market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment. These efforts have paved the way for deepening reforms comprehensively and expanding openness while accumulating valuable experience," said the spokeswoman.
"The current bonded policies in special customs supervision areas within the pilot FTZs remain unchanged. However, according to relevant regulations, when goods leave these special supervision zones and enter the domestic market for domestic sales, corresponding taxes should be paid," she said.
Goods entering China through FTZs will still face prevailing duties when they leave
To celebrate the May Day holiday, Kaifeng, the ancient capital of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) in central China's Henan Province, has launched vibrant events such as aerial performances and night cruises, providing tourists with an immersive experience to appreciate the cultural allure of this millennium-old city.
Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, a cultural park modeled after the eponymous painting by Zhang Zeduan, a renowned Northern Song Dynasty painter, presents a breathtaking aerial performance titled "Feitian," which literally means flying in the sky, during the five-day holiday starting on Thursday.
Dressed in ancient costumes, the performers gracefully glide and twirl midair, with their flowing movements evoking the grace of Feitian, the name of a legendary Buddhist goddess, while captivating countless visitors.
Meanwhile, the park's grand aquatic live show, "The Great Song Dynasty: Dreams of Splendor in Dongjing (the Eastern Capital)," has added three nightly performances during the holiday period.
This immersive show blends cutting-edge technology with exquisite performances to vividly recreate the romantic imagery from eight classic Song Dynasty poems, offering visitors an extraordinary experience.
"The themes of the performances are all about Chinese culture, including the dreamlike essence portrayed in 'Dreams of Splendor in Dongjing,' which I find quite good," said Ye Shihong, a tourist from Beijing.
As night falls, the night cruise transports tourists into a sensory journey. Cutting-edge light and sound technologies along the banks vividly bring classic Song Dynasty poetry to life, with traditional instrumental and dance performances concluding this immersive cultural experience.
Furthermore, to cope with the high influx of tourists during the holiday, Kaifeng has also launched a nighttime hail-and-ride bus service that covers major attractions, night markets, and transportation hubs.
This service offers flexible routes and an on-demand stopping mode, effectively catering to the nighttime travel needs of tourists.
"After just a short wait at the bus stop, I was surprised when the bus actually stopped after I waved. I feel that Kaifeng keeps getting better. Thumbs up," said Yang Xuesen, a tourist.
Ancient Chinese city Kaifeng dazzles with cultural events during May Day holiday
