China's nationwide anti-smuggling campaign has yielded
impressive results since it's launch in 1998. This is the message
delivered by officials from the General Administration of Customs
and other law enforcement departments, said CCTV on Tuesday.
Officials told the press that the crackdown on smuggling has
effectively curbed illegal trade, promoting sharp growth of legal
trade and significantly increasing customs tariffs.
From 1998 to 2002 Chinese customs handled nearly 56,000
smuggling cases, involving goods with a total value of 5 billion US
dollars. Customs anti-smuggling police have also detained thousands
of suspects.
But the situation is still serious as criminals employ new tactics,
such as cutting prices. Drug smuggling and Intellectual Property
Rights infringement cases are on the rise as well. The government
is taking steps to meet the challenge.
Sheng Guangzu, deputy director of General Administration of
Customs, said, "Our government has put great emphasis on cracking
down on weapons and drug smuggling cases, which are great dangers
to national security. In recent years, we've also stepped up
measures to fight against IPR violations. Every year, customs will
launch campaigns against pirated and smuggled CDs."
Oil products have also been a major focus, with intensive
anti-smuggling operations restoring trade to normal.
The public can see a record of the anti-smuggling campaign at
exhibitions due to start November 10. It will be on show in
Beijing, Nanjing and Shenzhen.
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(CCTV.com October 27, 2004))