China's NDRC to Coordinate Silk Road Shipping, Ports and Trade and Facilitate Customs Clearance and Settlement

According to Jin10, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) held a press conference on November 11 to discuss the Belt and Road Initiative. Liang Linchong, director-general of the NDRC's Department of Regional Opening-Up, said that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the commission would advance the development of four systems and guide China-Europe freight trains toward higher quality, better efficiency and greater safety. The work includes improving transport organization and services through coordination along the routes and more convenient customs clearance; developing diverse and resilient routes by coordinating rail, road, sea and air transport and opening new multimodal routes; improving safety through stronger coordination; and advancing digital, intelligent and green development of the freight trains, including wider use of new technologies and equipment. The next focus is to promote coordinated development among Silk Road Shipping ports, shipping and trade, support ports and shipping companies in improving operational efficiency, and make trade customs clearance and settlement more convenient.