Online Interview
Topic: Support for Hengqin New Area Opening-up and Development to Promote Guangdong's Economic Integration with Hong Kong and Macao SARs
Time:10:00 AM (Wed) March 26, 2014
Special Guests:Guests: Xiong Zhenguo, Deputy Director General of Gongbei Customs District; Wu Yirong, Director of Hengqin Customs House, Gongbei Customs District; Zhou Xiaolei, Deputy Director of the Processing-Trade Supervision Division, Gongbei Customs District;
Online Interview Photos
Support for Hengqin New Area Opening-up and Development to Promote Guangdong's Economic Integration with Hong Kong and Macao SARs
[Wang Hua]: Before the operation, what are the preferential policies issued by the Customs on customs clearance for enterprises on the island? 03/21/2014 10:27:42
[Xiong Zhenguo]: Since Hengqin New Area has not started the operation yet, enterprise cannot enjoy preferential policies such as selective tax levy. The Customs make enterprises’ desires their own and propose the interim solution: before the start of the operation, enterprises in the New Area eligible for preferential policies can complete entry formalities for relevant goods in the form of bond, and based on the bond, the Customs inspect and release those goods. Upon start of the operation, they can enjoy the previously mentioned preferential policies according to relevant regulations. 03/21/2014 10:28:15
[Xiong Zhenguo]: For example, in order to support the construction of Chimelong International Ocean Resort which costs RMB 20billion, imported goods used for the construction are approved to enjoy the taxes guarantee treatment. This is the style of handling special cases in special manners. Now three projects at the first phase of Chimelong International Ocean Resort: Hengqin Bay Hotel, Chimelong International Circus City and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom opened in January successively and attracted hundreds of thousands of overseas and domestic tourists. 03/21/2014 10:29:26
[Xiong Zhenguo]: In addition, the Customs also takes into consideration characteristics and time limits of customs clearance for construction materials for key industrial projects such as Chimelong, and provides them with convenient customs clearance services such as special channel, clearance booking, supervision over out-going and rapid inspection and release, in order to achieve speedy and smooth customs clearances for relevant goods. Anyway, for projects helpful to the development of Hengqin New Area and for honest enterprises growing bigger and stronger, we’ll give strong support within the scope specified by the policies. 03/21/2014 10:30:01
[Wang Hua]: RMB 20billion! How did such a large project settle in Hengqin? 03/21/2014 10:30:43
[Xiong Zhenguo]: The project is invested by Chimelong Group. At that time many places in China and abroad hoped Chimelong Group could invest in them, but Chimelong Group chose Hengqin at last. It is, first, because Hengqin New Area enjoys unique geographical advantages. It is located at the intersection of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, and it will share development opportunities of the three places after it is open and developed. Meanwhile, the development program and preferential policies to be implemented in Hengqin New Area are very attractive. 03/21/2014 10:30:50
[Xiong Zhenguo]: In accordance with the Official Reply of Relevant Polices Concerning the Development of Hengqin issued by the State Council, Hengqin New Area is approved to implement “preferential policies more special than those in special economic zones”, and Hengqin New Area is granted with specific preferential policies such as “innovative customs clearance system and measures”, “special tax preferences” and “support for the development of Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Industrial Park” to make Hengqin “a special zone among special zones”. This is one of the replies given by the State Council on regional development policies with highest level of opening-up and the broadest space for innovation. 03/21/2014 10:31:51
[Xiong Zhenguo]: According to its Development Plan, Hengqin, which covers an area of more than 106 km2, is changing from an unknown deserted island to an open island under regional co-construction and linking with Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, an energetic island with economic prosperity, livability and suitable employment, a wise island with intensive knowledge and advanced information, and an ecological island with resource conservation and green environment. All those are helpful to provide a favorable business environment for Chimelong’s development. 03/21/2014 10:32:37
[Xiong Zhenguo]: The project of the first phase of Zhuhai Chimelong International Ocean Resort started its trial business officially on January 28 this year. During the seven-day Spring Festival holiday, more than 500,000 persons-times were received, in which more than 400,000 persons-times visited Chimelong Ocean Park which is the largest ocean theme park in the world with an area of more than 1.3 million square meters. Upon its full completion, it is estimated that more than 20 million tourists from worldwide will come to it every year. 03/21/2014 10:33:07
[Wang Hua]: Open, energetic, wise, and ecological, and ocean kingdom, all those words are positive. They suddenly make me feel that Hengqin is a prosperous and beautiful tourist attraction and a dreamland suitable for leisure and amusement. Mr. Xiong, as so many tourists come to Hengqin every year, are there any measures to ensure their rapid and smooth customs clearance? 03/21/2014 10:33:42