Participants of the China-ASEAN Customs Connectivity High-Level Workshop reached a consensus in Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Sept 18.

During the event, representatives from China signed customs cooperation agreements with Vietnam and Laos. The agreements will help to advance connectivity along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and facilitate the free flow of information, capital and goods within the region.

"Connectivity is a priority for the construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. China and ASEAN countries will enhance cooperation to improve Customs efficiency and promote trade facilitation," said Sun Yibiao, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, at the workshop.

Since the implementation of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, two-way trade between China and ASEAN countries has continued to expand. From January to August this year, the value of bilateral trade reached $302.84 billion, making China the largest trading partner with ASEAN countries.

Lan Tianli, vice governor of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said that as the China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement advances forward, there is an urgent need to accelerate connectivity. Increasing connectivity is also a major part of the China-ASEAN regional economic cooperation.

Sun noted that China and ASEAN countries would strengthen cooperation in promoting trade facilitation, sharing information and offering mutual assistance in law enforcement to advance full-fledged connectivity and pave the way for the construction of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

"Advancing connectivity will be a prevailing trend for customs development in the future. For the next step, we will leverage the China-ASEAN Information Harbor to build the Belt and Road Customs connectivity platform and drive up the China-ASEAN regional economic growth," said Luo Wei, deputy director-general of the Department of Science and Technology and head of the E-Port Administration Office of the General Administration of Customs of China.

An official from the UN Asia-Pacific Economic and Social Committee stressed that strengthening joint efforts in law enforcement between Chinese and ASEAN Customs authorities would be helpful in creating a sound environment for economic and trade cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region.