At a State Council Information Office briefing on the morning of the 22nd,
officials said China is now a major trading partner for over 160 countries and
regions and that import sources, product categories and quality have broadened
and improved. As part of implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan and accelerating
customs modernization to support services-trade development, customs will
simplify tax-refund procedures for foreign visitors departing China: from July 1
refund claims under 10,000 yuan will move to a spot-check sampling regime and
Refunds will be processed fully paperlessly. Authorities said further
supervisory optimizations will follow to enhance inbound consumption and promote
the "Shop in China" brand.
