China has issued a five-year plan to modernize its ports of entry during the 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030, as the country seeks to further expand openness and promote international cooperation.

The plan was jointly released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) and the National Development and Reform Commission, according to Xinhua News Agency. The GAC is responsible for customs administration, while the National Development and Reform Commission is China’s top economic planning agency, giving the plan both border-management and broader development-policy significance.

It sets out objectives for China to make significant progress in port modernization by 2030, including the development of a more efficient port network, upgraded infrastructure, broader use of smart technologies, smoother cross-border connectivity, stronger governance and more effective security measures. Ports of entry are key checkpoints for the movement of goods, people and transport across borders, so modernization efforts can affect trade facilitation, customs supervision and cross-border logistics.

China’s five-year plans are national policy frameworks that set development priorities for economic and social sectors over fixed periods. The 15th Five-Year Plan period covers 2026-2030, and the newly released port plan is intended to guide the development of ports of entry during that period.

By 2035, China aims to have basically completed the modernization of its ports of entry. The plan says this would provide strong support for high-quality development and national security.

“The plan serves as the blueprint for the country’s port development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period,” said Zhang Baofeng, deputy head of the GAC.

Zhang said China will focus on building ports of entry that are safer, more efficient, smarter, greener and better governed under the rule of law, while also accelerating the development of world-class modern ports.

Source: Xinhua News Agency