Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan urged the General Administration of Customs (GAC) to strengthen cooperation with regional counterparts on Monday.

Addressing the 11th World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia Pacific Regional Heads of Administration Conference, Tang said the Chinese government supported cooperation and common prosperity in international and regional affairs and participated in many multilateral and bilateral cooperation organizations.

While expanding exchanges and cooperation with neighbors, China was committed to regional stability and economic development.

China supported the reform and development of the GAC as an important device for the country's opening to the world, he said.

The GAC had played a positive role in dealing with regional affairs and earned appreciation from regional members and secretariat of the WCO, Tang said.

He said customs organization were important in promoting trade and economic development after China initiated its opening-up policy in 1978.

The GAC had set up a Regional Information Liaison Office and a WCO training center in Shanghai.

The Asia Pacific Regional Heads of Administration Conference is held every two years. WCO Deputy Secretary-General Kunio Mikuriya and delegates from 31 member administrations are attending the three-day meeting.

They will discuss guidelines for Asia Pacific regional strategic development drafted by the GAC, as well as trade facilitation and commercial fraud.

Source: Xinhua