China's customs revenue hit a record high of 527.8 billion yuan (US$65.4 billion) in 2005, said sources with the country's customs agency.

The revenue is 53.43 billion yuan (US$65 billion) more than the previous year, or a rise of 11.26 percent, said the sources.

Since its entry into the World Trade Organization, China has lowered its customs rate for many times. Yet, this did not affect the customs revenue due to the soaring foreign trade, especially imports.

The annual growth of customs revenue was more than 100 billion yuan (US$12.4 billion) in both 2003 and 2004, said Mu Xinsheng, commissioner with the General Administration of Customs.

The year of 2006 is the start of China's 11th Five-Year Guideline and the State Council has made the goal of 552 billion yuan (US$68.4 billion) for the customs revenue, said Mu.

The figure means six-percent increase over 2005 and brings new challenges to the customs staff, Mu said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2006)