China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

When asked about whether US products entering China via pilot free trade zones (FTZs) are affected by new additional tariffs, Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson He Yongqian said on Thursday that the existing bonded policies in the special regulatory areas within the FTZs will remain unchanged; however, in accordance with relevant regulations, when goods leave these special regulatory areas and enter the domestic market for sale, the corresponding taxes must be paid.

The FTZs are a comprehensive pilot platform for reform and opening-up independently established by the Chinese government. Since its establishment, the pilot FTZs have consistently adhered to institutional innovation as its core, guided by high-level opening-up, and has introduced a large number of foundational and pioneering reform and opening-up measures, taking the lead in creating a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized first-class business environment, He said.

To explore paths and accumulate experience for comprehensively deepening reform and expanding openness, the existing bonded policies in the special regulatory areas within the free trade pilot zones will remain unchanged, the spokesperson said. 

Global Times