Pingtan, located off the coast of Fujian province and the closest point on the mainland to the island of Taiwan, is a vital area for cross-Straits integration and international trade. As China's second international tourism island after Hainan, Pingtan plays a crucial role in fostering economic and cultural exchange. Now, the island is pushing forward with a new round of its "customs closure" operation, a policy initiative designed to enhance its openness and streamline cross-border interactions.

Since the beginning of the year, Pingtan has been focusing on implementing a new round of "customs closure" operations, a topic that has garnered significant attention from all sectors of society. Central to this process is a series of targeted educational initiatives across all levels of Pingtan, which aim to build understanding and competence around the new regulatory framework. From government offices to grassroots organizations, the mantra "learn, understand, apply customs closure" has become a unifying goal for the community.

"Customs closure is a term used to describe a specific regulatory model where certain areas are designated as 'special supervision zones,' allowing for a more flexible regulatory approach," explained Jia Weibin, director of the Pingtan Innovation Research Institute, during a recent meeting on the topic. "The core of this system is the 'first line open, second line secure' model, which has now evolved into 'first line full open' in the new round of operations."

Originally implemented in 2014, the "first line open, second line secure" policy was designed to simplify trade and immigration procedures, facilitating easier cross-Straits interactions. The new iteration, however, upgrades the "first line" opening into a full, unrestricted access model.

The "first line open" comes with three key features:

1. Admission Relaxation: Import trade and immigration control are now governed by a "negative list" approach, which significantly loosens restrictions on trade, funds, and personnel. Barriers to goods, services, and digital trade will be dismantled, boosting cross-border logistics, processing, and modern services.

2. Tax Relief: Tariffs and taxes on imported goods are reduced, lowering the overall cost for businesses operating in Pingtan.

3. Travel Facilitation: Visa-free entry for tourists is expanded, and travelers can now bring in reasonable quantities of personal items duty-free, simplifying customs procedures.

But what exactly does "first line" and "second line" mean? Jia explained that the "first line" refers to the boundary between Pingtan's main island and foreign countries or regions outside China, while the "second line" separates Pingtan from other regions within China. The key to this model is its dual approach: "first opening" allows for seamless integration with international markets, while "second line secure" ensures smooth economic and logistical exchanges with the Chinese mainland.

"For businesses, this new system brings favorable tariff policies, more efficient customs procedures, and greater profit potential," Jia added. "For local residents, it means cheaper shopping, easier travel, and more diverse job opportunities as the island's economic landscape becomes more dynamic."

Pingtan's new round of customs closure operations is progressing with full support for infrastructure upgrades and policy implementation. Jia emphasized the importance of securing continued policy support from higher authorities and increasing public awareness of these changes. He noted, "We aim to make this policy, which benefits both citizens and businesses, a shared responsibility and a visible improvement for everyone on the island."