China Customs will make every effort to facilitate global trade ensure its security, Gong Zheng, Vice-Minister of China Customs, told the annual conference of the International Federation of Customs Brokers Association (IFCBA) Sunday.

Gong said economic globalization promoted the transfer of industry and accelerated the flow of capital and investment internationally, leading to more opportunities for rapid economic growth.

Customs, administration and port systems were electronically automated to ensure trade go smoothly, he said.

China Customs had signed an agreement last year to implement the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards as well as 30 administrative assistance agreements and the Sino-American Container Security Initiative to enhance international cooperation.

Since China's entry into the World Trade Organization, China Customs had signed more than 500 accords with related agencies and economic operators to consolidate liaison with the business sector, to enhance self-discipline of enterprises, and to jointly combat illegal trade.

Gong said the global economy faced challenges such as the unbalanced growth of the world economy, new trends in trade protectionism, and cross-border terrorism.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2006)