On October 17, 2023, the State Council approved the establishment of a pilot zone for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation in Shanghai.

The Plan for Establishing a Pilot Zone for Silk Road E-commerce Cooperation in Shanghai (hereinafter referred to as "the plan") will align with high-standard economic and trade rules, explore institutional innovations, expand opening-up of the e-commerce sector, build a new hub for international cooperation in the digital economy, and play a crucial role in promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

By 2025, a batch of exemplary institutional openness achievements will be formed; a batch of e-commerce entities with international competitiveness will be concentrated; a batch of distinctive regional carriers will be created; and a batch of public service platforms to promote the common development of Silk Road e-commerce partners will be built. The ultimate aim is to make e-commerce transactions and international cooperation more active, and further accumulate practical experience for the development of Silk Road e-commerce.

The plan centers on three aspects, comprising a total of 19 tasks.

First, further opening up the e-commerce sector. There are seven tasks: expanding international data services, implementing high-standard trade facilitation measures, promoting the application of international standards for electronic documents, exploring cross-border interoperability of digital identity and electronic certification, expanding cross-border e-commerce imports, promoting the innovative development of cross-border e-commerce exports, and facilitating cross-border RMB settlement for Silk Road e-commerce.

Second, creating a pilot environment. There are a total of six tasks: building a central functional area in the special customs supervision area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone and Lin-gang Special Area, building a leading zone with radiant influence in the Hongqiao International Central Business District, establishing global distribution centers for cross-border e-commerce, cultivating and strengthening Silk Road e-commerce enterprises, improving the infrastructure for Silk Road e-commerce, and building an international talent hub.

Third, promoting international and regional exchanges and cooperation. It involves six tasks: carrying out think tank exchanges on Silk Road e-commerce, promoting the application of digital technologies in Silk Road e-commerce, conducting training and exchange programs for Silk Road e-commerce, smoothing e-commerce exchanges and cooperation among partner countries, promoting regional cooperation on Silk Road e-commerce, and building an international service system for Silk Road e-commerce.

On December 14, 2023, Pudong New Area released the Action Plan for Advancing the Construction of the Silk Road E-commerce Cooperation Pilot Zone in Pudong New Area, outlining measures to facilitate cross-border data flow, implement trade facilitation, and pilot trade digitalization, all geared towards accelerating the establishment of the central functional area within the pilot zone.

The Hongqiao International Central Business District issued the Three-Year Action Plan for Promoting the Establishment of a Pilot Zone for Silk Road E-commerce Cooperation in Hongqiao International CBD, which outlines 15 specific tasks when piloting opening-up measures, amplifying the spillover effects of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), strengthening cooperation and exchanges on Silk Road e-commerce, and constructing a service system for Silk Road e-commerce.

Sources: shanghai.gov.cn, jfdaily.com, ce.cn