On April 7-8, 2024, the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province held seminars in Shenzhen, centering on the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce. This gathering was meticulously crafted to serve as a catalyst for the seamless fusion and progression of "cross-border e-commerce + industrial belts," propelling forward industrial, scientific and technological innovation. Distinguished attendees included officials from the Ministry of Commerce in Guangzhou Commissioner Office, the Ministry of Commerce in Shenzhen Commissioner Office, alongside representatives from over 21 municipal commerce, customs, taxation, foreign exchange management departments, and delegates from more than 400 cross-border e-commerce platforms, service providers, and industrial belt enterprises spanning the province. Of notable mention is YANTIAN, standing as the sole port enterprise being invited in Guangdong Province.

After years of evolution, cross-border e-commerce, together with general trade and processing trade, have solidified their positions as three pivotal pillars of trade in China. They not only serve as driving forces for the expansion of international trade but also stand out as focal points of growth within Guangdong's vibrant trade landscape. As the most dynamic and promising facet of international trade, the cross-border e-commerce sector in Guangdong has made remarkable progress.

In 2023, the province recorded a total import and export volume of cross-border e-commerce amounting to CNY843.3 billion, representing a substantial growth of 25.2%. In the first quarter of the current year, Guangdong Province witnessed a surge in its cross-border e-commerce import and export volume, surpassing CNY200 billion. Shenzhen alone contributed over CNY110 billion to this figure—an impressive year-on-year increase of over 95%, setting a new benchmark.

To seamlessly integrate cross-border e-commerce with industrial supply chains and propel the progression of high-quality trade, the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province has launched an exhaustive array of 12 policies. These measures are meticulously designed to guarantee the sustained and consistent expansion of cross-border e-commerce. They are intricately tailored to bolster support policies, nurture the flourishing of cross-border e-commerce parks, stimulate the growth of cross-border e-commerce enterprises, and establish a resilient industrial ecosystem for cross-border e-commerce.

PART 01：Dialogue and collaboration at the preferred port for cross-border e-commerce in South China

On the morning of April 8, leaders from the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province led nearly 100 representatives from the government and enterprises on a visit to YANTIAN. They observed the on-site operations at YANTIAN and convened discussions and seminars aimed at propelling high-quality cross-border e-commerce.

Throughout the gathering, leaders from various provincial and municipal departments, along with representatives from cross-border e-commerce enterprises, engaged in profound exchanges. They shared insights and deliberated on topics ranging from the end-to-end process of cross-border e-commerce operations, specific strategies for enhancing transparency in cross-border e-commerce, to current landscape of cross-border e-commerce in Yantian District and tactics for nurturing the high-quality development of this sector.

In the realm of China's cross-border e-commerce, all eyes turn to Shenzhen. According to statistics, the number of export-oriented cross-border e-commerce enterprises in Shenzhen exceeds 150,000. They hold sway over nearly half of China's sellers across platforms like Alibaba International, AliExpress, Lazada, eBay, and more. Furthermore, Shenzhen serves as the base for one-third of Amazon's Chinese sellers. The extensive network of sellers and the expansive market size lay the foundation for Shenzhen's supremacy in cross-border e-commerce. Pioneering the nation, Shenzhen introduced the concept of "transparency" and led the inaugural pilot project in this domain. It established the first comprehensive cross-border e-commerce pilot zone to implement transparency initiatives.

Last year, the Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, guided by the strategic framework of "one platform, multiple products," pioneered the establishment of a comprehensive and transparent public service platform for cross-border e-commerce, leveraging the foundation of the existing online integrated service platform. Subsequently, they meticulously developed and launched two public service products tailored for 9710 exports (cross-border e-commerce B2B direct exports) and 9610 exports (cross-border e-commerce B2C exports). Following the official initiation of the pilot cross-border e-commerce transparency export declaration in Shenzhen in April last year, YANTIAN expeditiously followed suit. In May of the same year, a seminar on transparency declaration and business development convened, fostering collaborative discussions among government departments, customs authorities, industry associations, and enterprises. This concerted effort aimed to aid more cross-border e-commerce enterprises in achieving compliance and realising sustainable operations across various dimensions of overseas markets.

The horizon of the cross-border e-commerce industry's future is within reach. In accordance with a previous directive from the Guangdong Provincial Government Office detailing Several Policy Measures to Promote the High-Quality Development of Cross-border E-commerce, endeavors are in progress to launch 20 pilot projects for "industrial clusters + cross-border e-commerce" by 2025. Additionally, the aim is to foster 100 cross-border e-commerce sellers with an annual transaction volume exceeding CNY1 billion and 100 cross-border e-commerce independent brands with annual sales surpassing CNY1 billion.

PART 02 ：Showcasing YANTIAN in the event: empowering high-quality cross-border e-commerce in overseas market

On the afternoon of April 8, YANTIAN, the exclusive port enterprise invited from Guangdong Province, took center stage at the Guangdong Province Seminar on High-Quality Development of Cross-border E-commerce and the Guangdong Province "Cross-border E-commerce + Industrial Belts" Series - Shenzhen Special Session. We not only highlighted the port's magnificence but also embraced the excitement of venturing into new frontiers. Alongside prominent cross-border e-commerce platforms such as SHEIN, Amazon, 1688, and Ozon, discussions revolved around the latest global trends and emerging market opportunities in cross-border e-commerce.

Timeliness is the lifeblood of cross-border e-commerce. By the end of 2023, Xinwen Lianbo acclaimed YANTAIN's cross-border e-commerce express service. Serving as a pivotal node in the global supply chain, we undertake over one-third of Guangdong Province's import and export, along with more than one-fourth of the country's exports to the United States. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's 2023 Maritime Review emphasized maritime transport as the linchpin of global trade, representing over 80% of global trade transport volume.

Sheree Sun, Deputy General Manager of Commercial Department of YANTIAN, underscores, "Currently, leveraging our extensive service network, YANTIAN has strategically harnessed our strengths to closely align with the evolution of overseas cross-border e-commerce markets. Through collaboration with shipping companies, we deliver extensive, fast, and premium services. Each day, we orchestrate an average of 6 services to the United States, 4 services  to Europe, and over 20 services to Belt and Road countries. With our unparalleled coverage of overseas ports and serving as the last port of call in China, we ensure the swift delivery of cargoes to their destinations. For example, shipments to Europe take 22 days, while those to the United States arrive in just 12.5 days. This year, we have opened over 10 cross-border e-commerce express services, facilitating high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce in overseas market. As the preferred port for cross-border e-commerce in South China and the Honorary President Organization of SZCBEA Yantian Branch, YANTIAN remains steadfast in our commitment to our role as a major port and the advancement of multimodal transportation. We are devoted to providing even higher-quality and more efficient logistics services, wholeheartedly supporting cross-border cultural exchanges and brand expansion overseas. Furthermore, we will persist in actively bridging connections between customers and stakeholders, while proactively collaborating with government departments, customs, associations, and enterprises. Our focus on 'cross-border e-commerce + industrial belts' will propel the integration and innovation of cross-border e-commerce with industrial supply chains. This initiative aims to empower the robust and swift development of cross-border e-commerce while fully supporting Shenzhen's efforts in expediting the establishment of a logistics centre with global influence. Through these endeavors, we aim to make our rightful contribution to the high-quality development of the China's international trade landscape.

Data source: People's Daily, Shenzhen Release