U.S.-China Talks to Lead to More Cooperation on Customs, Other Issues
Both sides are claiming progress during the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) this week in Beijing. Among other things, they decided to continue to implement the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China Concerning Bilateral Cooperation on Supply Chain Security and Facilitation and the Action Plan, according to the official joint statement issued by the two countries after the meeting.
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They said three Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) joint validations are to be conducted this year in China, which will further U.S.-China Customs cooperation on supply chain security and facilitation. Also, comparative studies of "Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)" systems will be carried out in conjunction with the joint validations in order to achieve the goal of mutual recognition of AEO as early as possible, the statement said.
The U.S. and China also agreed to sign the Letter of Intent between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and on a Joint Training Program designed to facilitate the exchange of information and personnel, undertake joint operational exercises, and strengthen customs-to-customs cooperation to identify and interdict illegitimate and illicit materials traveling via air and maritime cargo.
Among the other developments cited in the State Department press release or the joint statement were:
- The Strategic Security Dialogue (SSD) portion of the talks provided a forum to discuss issues such as cyber-security and maritime security.
- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration worked with their Chinese counterparts to support radiological material threat reduction and improve port and border security.
- The U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program has promoted safer aviation operations.
- They endorsed the establishment of the U.S.-China Maritime Safety Dialogue Mechanism between the U.S. Coast Guard and the China Maritime Safety Administration and to hold the first dialogue this fall in China, in conjunction with a visit by U.S. Coast Guard Commandant.
- The two countries will hold specific talks on the issuance of five-year multiple entry visas for businessmen, tourists, students, and other agreed-upon visa classes.
- The joint statement "welcomed the furthering of bilateral cooperation on clean energy," including the extension of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Exchange Program, under the action plan between the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the National Energy Administration.
- The U.S. and China decided to jointly support wildlife enforcement efforts to combat illegal trafficking of endangered and protected wildlife. The countries will participate in a Special Investigations Group meeting in Nanning, China, June 20-21, led by ASEAN-WEN, where wildlife investigators and forensic scientists will identify and recommend improved enforcement and inspection efforts, the statement said.