The China–Uzbekistan Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) mutual recognition arrangement officially came into effect on Saturday, offering easier customs clearance for exporters from both countries.
According to the General Administration of Customs (GAC), China is Uzbekistan's first AEO mutual recognition partner, and the country has become Uzbekistan's largest trading partner and one of its biggest sources of foreign investment.
The AEO system, initiated by the World Customs Organization, is aimed at facilitating customs clearance for enterprises with outstanding records in terms of legal compliance, credit rating and safety.
Data showed that the trade volume between China and Uzbekistan totaled 64.77 billion yuan (about 9.59 billion U.S. dollars) in the first six months of the year, up 24.2 percent year on year.
Under the arrangement, companies that obtain the AEO status in the two countries will enjoy simplified customs procedures, such as reduced examination and prioritized clearance, which will significantly shorten customs clearance time and reduce warehouse and logistics costs.
So far, the number of economies that have signed AEO mutual recognition agreements with China stands at 34, covering 60 countries and regions. China has implemented the AEO mutual recognition arrangements with 53 countries and regions across the world.
China-Uzbekistan AEO mutual recognition arrangement comes into force
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command conducted a joint naval-air training exercise in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas on Saturday.
The theater command said in a statement that relevant subjects included reconnaissance and early warning, deterrence patrol, air-sea control, and joint strike.
The drills commenced immediately after the operational order was issued, with bomber formations and a naval fleet, including the destroyer Zhanjiang and the amphibious transport dock Qilianshan, arriving at the designated zone on schedule.
During the exercises, the bomber units executed simulated strikes against maritime targets, while the naval task force established air-defense formations to repel mock aerial assaults.
Operating teams utilized helicopters and ship-borne small boats to search for surface targets, conduct armed boarding operations on simulated hijacked vessels, control the ships to rescue hostages, and carry out emergency medical triage and evacuation for wounded personnel.
"Similar joint training exercises have become our routines. We adhere to sharpening our ability to respond to various contingencies at combat-readiness standards, and always maintain a state of readiness to execute missions at any time and effectively counter various risks and challenges," said Sun Junhui, an officer on the naval vessel Zhanjiang.
According to the theater command, the exercise effectively honed the troops' naval-air coordination, rapid support and win-by-system capabilities.
The theater command also said that the drill is a necessary action taken in light of the current situation in the South China Sea and in response to the acts of certain countries within the region that have undermined regional peace and stability.
The training exercise aimed to test and enhance the army's real combat capabilities to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the theater command said.
PLA conducts naval-air training exercise at Huangyan Dao
