Govt eyes cross-border e-commerce to boost exports

Workers sort parcels at a delivery company in Fuyang, Anhui province.[Photo/China Daily]

Government officials eye more pilot zones to increase backing for export development

The central government is looking to cross-border e-commerce to provide more support for Chinese exporters.

At an executive meeting of the State Council on Wednesday, government officials said more cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones should be set up in China to provide more support for export development.

Such zones should be set up in cities in East, Central and West China that have better infrastructure, large-scale import and export businesses and a more developed e-commerce industry, the officials said.

The success of the China (Hangzhou) Cross-Border E-Commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone should be copied and promoted, the officials said.

This includes a one-stop financial service system, exchangeable information, mutually recognizable administration and interdependent law enforcement between different government departments.

Only in such ways can a complete industry chain and ecosystem be built for cross-border e-commerce, officials said. With this new approach, company costs can be lowered, profits increased and the country's exports given more vitality and upgrades in the long run.

The officials said more cross-border e-commerce pilot zones will attract export-oriented firms, advance the growth of new business models and lead to efficient administration.

This will provide more job opportunities and help the Chinese export industry reorient itself and win more advantages.

The vibrancy injected by cross-border e-commerce into China's export business is reflected in global industry giant Amazon's 2015 figures.

The number of exporters reaching overseas markets via Amazon increased by 13 times last year, while Chinese exporters' turnover on Amazon more than doubled during the first three quarters of 2015.

While coastal cities in Southeast China are still home to the most Chinese exporters, Amazon has seen inland Chinese exporters becoming more active on its platform.

Product categories have been expanded, with the number of exports increasing by 87 times compared with 2012. Product quality has largely increased, with technology products including tablets, smartphones, robots and drones becoming popular Chinese exports last year.

Chinese consumers have already fully embraced cross-border e-commerce.

According to the latest study by international market consultancy Nielsen, about one-third of the country's cross-border online shoppers made up to five purchases last year.