On a certain date, the Ministry of Commerce held a special press conference on the replication and promotion of pilot measures for the promotion of institutional opening-up in free trade zones by aligning with international high standards. Ma Chengfang, Deputy Director of the Department of Free Trade Zone and Free Trade Port of the Ministry of Commerce, introduced at the conference that last month, the State Council issued the "Several Measures for Pilot Implementation of Aligning with International High Standards to Promote Institutional Opening-up in Free Trade Zones and Free Trade Ports with Conditions," which initially launched pilot programs in five free trade zones in Shanghai, Guangdong, Tianjin, Fujian, and Beijing, as well as in the Hainan Free Trade Port.

After more than a year of pilot implementation, the pilot measures have been fully implemented. The pilot regions have launched a series of pioneering and leading institutional innovations, forming a number of advanced experiences and typical practices. These efforts have explored the implementation path for steadily expanding institutional openness, provided practical support for joining high-standard international economic and trade agreements, and laid the experimental foundation for replication and promotion on a wider scale.

Ma Chengfang stated that the next step will involve the Ministry of Commerce working together with relevant departments and local governments to actively promote the implementation of replication and promotion measures, aiming to achieve tangible results as soon as possible, release the dividends of reform and opening up, form more experience and practices, and provide a "free trade solution" to steadily expand institutional opening.

Pilot areas have formed a number of advanced experiences and typical practices. Ma Chengfang introduced that after the issuance of several measures last year, the Ministry of Commerce immediately established a cross-department and cross-regional working mechanism to fully promote the implementation of the pilot program. Relevant departments have issued more than a dozen specific opinions, rules, and guidelines. The pilot areas have also formulated detailed plans based on their actual conditions and carried out differentiated explorations, ensuring the comprehensive implementation of the pilot program, achieving practical results, and benefiting business entities.

One is to carry out a batch of institutional innovations in "first-of-its-kind and first-of-its-kind trials." The import of remanufactured products such as reciprocating piston engines has been relaxed first, with the first national case already implemented in Shanghai, saving % of costs for enterprises. The pre-ruling extension system has been implemented first upon application, effectively enhancing the predictability of trade. The mandatory certification method for information technology equipment has been first broken through, allowing the use of self-declaration as a guarantee for imported products to meet electromagnetic compatibility standards, with the first national certificate already issued and in effect.

Second, a series of "market connectivity" opening measures will be introduced. Support will be provided for overseas professionals to offer services within the country, with all six pilot regions having issued and further expanded the scope of recognition for overseas professional qualifications. Measures will be taken to facilitate the work and life of foreign nationals in China, issuing visas and residence permits within one year for foreign senior executives and their accompanying family members who are setting up companies in the pilot regions, and allowing accompanying spouses and family members of internal transfer experts from foreign-invested enterprises to enjoy the same duration of stay and residence as the experts. In accordance with the principle of consistency between domestic and foreign entities, approval will be granted for new financial services applications from foreign financial institutions, and decisions on service applications from overseas financial institutions will be made within 90 days.

Three is to implement a series of "cost reduction and efficiency improvement" policies benefiting enterprises. For temporarily imported goods such as those used in exhibitions or displays, duties and import taxes can be temporarily exempted after providing a guarantee. Imported wine labels are allowed to include specific terms, with over a hundred batches of wine labeled with descriptors like "reserve" and "classic" already imported. Qualified imported air cargo express goods achieve customs clearance within hours, and general goods within hours, continuously improving customs efficiency.

Four is to form a batch of "efficient and transparent" management practices. Publish typical cases of online consumer rights protection, explore solutions to potential consumption risks in new business forms and models. When announcing the results of single-source government procurement projects, explain the reasons for adopting this method, further enhancing transparency. Support and guide enterprises to align with internationally recognized standards and guidelines, establishing voluntary mechanisms to improve environmental performance. Actively promote the pilot of public arbitration awards, promptly providing and disclosing labor and personnel dispute arbitration decisions to the parties involved.

Cross-department and cross-region collaborative efforts are being made to promote replication and dissemination. The pilot measures for replication and dissemination cover six aspects: goods trade, service trade, digital trade, personnel entry, business environment, and risk control, with a total of measures. Ma Chengfang stated that the Ministry of Commerce will fully leverage its coordinating role, continue to establish cross-department and cross-region working mechanisms, work together with relevant departments to strengthen support and guidance, promote efficient collaboration between departments and regions, and earnestly organize the implementation of all replication and dissemination policy measures.

Mainly focus on the following four aspects of work:

First, focus on detailed implementation. The Ministry of Commerce will actively support relevant departments in assisting local governments to fulfill their responsibilities, break down tasks into specific actions, develop implementation plans, and expedite the execution of all replication and promotion tasks. For those that require the formulation of specific opinions, measures, rules, or plans, they will be completed within one year.

Second, we will focus on policy dissemination. Based on a comprehensive summary of the results of individual pilot areas, the Ministry of Commerce has developed policy interpretations and individual typical cases, which will be sent to various regions to guide and assist more business entities in fully utilizing and benefiting from the relevant policies. At the same time, each region will also conduct in-depth policy interpretations with enterprises, expanding application scenarios based on actual conditions, and releasing more substantial reform dividends.

Thirdly, focus on tracking and ensuring effectiveness. Support and encourage various regions to conduct differentiated explorations based on local realities, innovating systems on a broader scale and in greater depth, and creating a transparent, stable, and predictable institutional environment. The Ministry of Commerce will work with relevant departments to promptly summarize and evaluate the effectiveness of replication and promotion efforts, study and solidify practical and effective practices into institutional achievements, and explore new paths and accumulate new experiences for steadily expanding institutional-type openness.

Four is to strengthen risk prevention and control. This time, a specific risk prevention and control measure is being replicated and promoted nationwide. The Ministry of Commerce will work together with relevant departments and local governments to balance development and security. While advancing relevant reforms, it will establish and improve risk prevention and control systems, promote full-process supervision, and ensure the orderly advancement of the replication and promotion efforts.