Building a world-class ocean port cluster is a "national responsibility" entrusted to Shandong by General Secretary Xi Jinping. It is a key component for Qingdao Customs to implement its mission of using customs intelligence to serve the nation's strength and promoting Chinese-style modernization through modern customs services. By 2023, Shandong ports will rank first and second globally in cargo throughput and container volume, respectively. Qingdao, Rizhao, and Yantai ports will all rank among the top ten globally in terms of throughput. Shandong ports already handle 97% and 70% of Shandong and other Yellow River Basin provinces' foreign trade freight. Stationed in Shandong, we shoulder a heavy responsibility. Qingdao Customs must thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Based on Shandong's maritime characteristics and the unique customs and ports, we must seamlessly integrate customs supervision into the port logistics chain, empower new port productivity through customs-port collaboration, and pool our wisdom and strength to build a world-class ocean port cluster.

Strengthen coordinated efforts to advance the transition from a "single port" to a "port cluster."

A world-class ocean port cluster is a cluster of intensively integrated ports. Qingdao Customs must coordinate and promote the optimization of customs mechanisms with the intensive integration of ports, implementing integrated collaboration. A joint customs-port meeting mechanism was established, and a memorandum of understanding was signed. Four mechanisms, namely, "joint governance of national border security, joint promotion of the business environment, joint construction of smart ports, and joint consultation on customs-port cooperation," were deepened. Cooperation projects are discussed annually and fully implemented, striving to expand and strengthen the port cluster. Six shipping routes from Qingdao Port, including those to Russia, Japan, and South Korea, were supported in the optimization and reallocation of traffic to Rizhao Port, helping Rizhao Port's throughput climb to seventh place globally. Integrated reforms were deepened. Through field visits, it was discovered that the "one port, two codes" issue at Qingdao Qianwan Port was causing inconvenience for businesses in customs declarations and berth usage. Qingdao Customs, leveraging this as a key reform measure, proactively aligned with the needs of port integration, integrated regulatory codes, and optimized operational processes. This enabled businesses to declare customs once, ship access to the entire port area, and zero berth vacancy, saving businesses over 64 million yuan annually. Shandong Port Group sent a special letter of gratitude to the customs, stating that it had helped them achieve "a long-cherished goal." Integrated management was strengthened. We will coordinate regulatory innovation across the port cluster as a whole, replicating and promoting mature smart customs projects such as smart telecommunications quarantine and "Sample Express" across all seaports within the customs area. This will reduce ship quarantine and sampling inspection times by 80% and 30%, respectively, achieving the goal of "one port flourishing, multiple ports benefiting."

Strengthening smart empowerment to promote the transition from "factor-based growth" to "innovation-based development."

A world-class ocean port cluster is a smart and efficient port cluster. Smart customs development must be promoted alongside smart ports and smart ports. We will prioritize policy empowerment. Focusing on enhancing the port's impact, we will actively seek policy support and secure approval for Qingdao Port to implement the port of departure tax rebate policy. Currently, this policy covers 16 ports of departure within and outside the province, as well as all inter-port feeder routes within the province. Next, we will promote the inclusion of more inland ports in the port of departure tax rebate program. We will also actively promote the implementation of the "combined port" policy within the customs area to create an integrated logistics model. Implement the General Administration of Customs' measures to support the development of the cruise industry, promptly introduce detailed measures within the customs area, and support Shandong Port in positioning itself as a cruise center along the Yellow River Basin and building a first-class "cruise home port." Emphasize scenario-based empowerment. Focusing on building a nationwide leading regulatory service scenario chain, support Qingdao Port in building a world-leading, domestically produced, fully autonomous, and fully automated container terminal. Strengthen system integration and information sharing with ports in the development of smart customs, innovatively create the "Yungangtong" smart inspection platform, and improve inspection and logistics turnover efficiency by 35%. Emphasize reform empowerment. Adhere to solving major problems with small incisions. Focusing on optimizing processes, improving efficiency, streamlining procedures, and preventing and controlling risks, Shandong Port, with its focus on bulk commodities, implements the "release first, then inspect" policy for bulk commodities and the "inspection batch" system for key commodities, helping the port rank first in the nation in terms of throughput of 11 types of cargo, including iron ore, soybeans, and timber. Introduce a "departure confirmation + water-to-water transshipment" regulatory model, achieving seamless connectivity for trunk and feeder vessels and improving terminal operation timelines by 30%.

Strengthening connectivity and coordination to promote the upgrade from "single development" to "integration and mutual promotion"

A world-class ocean port cluster is an integrated and open port cluster. To this end, efforts should be made to promote the connectivity and coordination between port cluster development, logistics channels, and open platforms. Port-to-port connectivity is being strengthened. Focusing on building a major international logistics corridor connecting the east and the west, we support the implementation of a "single bill" system for multimodal imports and promote the coordinated development of sea, land, air, and rail. We have signed memoranda of cooperation with the customs authorities of Jinan, Xi'an, and Urumqi, promoting the "land-sea integration" and sea-rail direct transport model to nine inland ports within and outside the province. This model saw a 162% increase in import and export container volume in the first half of the year, while reducing domestic transportation costs by 20%. Port-area connectivity is being strengthened. We are promoting the integration of port areas, the SCO Demonstration Zone, and the Special Regulatory Zone, innovatively implementing "zone-port integration," and extending the functions of maritime ports to the SCO International Hub Port. We have introduced 25 measures to promote the high-quality development of comprehensive bonded zones. By supporting the establishment of designated customs supervision areas in comprehensive bonded zones adjacent to ports, we are supporting the development of port-related industries and transforming port "traffic" into economic "increment." Port-area connectivity is being strengthened. Leveraging Shandong Port's position as the most convenient "seaport" in the Yellow River Basin, the port authorities along the Yellow River, along with customs, local governments, ports, railways, and enterprises, have spearheaded a collaborative mechanism for "joint consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits." Together with the ports, they are building a smart platform for "Customs and Trade Links" in the Yellow River Basin, supporting the port cluster's expansion into the inland hinterland. In the first half of the year, the import and export value of other Yellow River provinces through Shandong ports increased by 6%.

Strengthening environmental improvements and promoting the transition from "single-point relief" to "institutionalized services."

A world-class ocean port cluster is a highly convenient port cluster. Qingdao Customs should focus on solidifying its experience, optimizing its mechanisms, and working together to create a first-class port business environment. The "Customs-Enterprise Face-to-Face" program will be enhanced, and its effectiveness will be continuously strengthened. In response to concerns from businesses regarding comprehensive port services, ports will be invited to participate and discuss solutions. This will organically integrate the implementation of the "response, echo, and reaction" mechanism, improve work practices, and address difficulties faced by businesses. Qingdao Customs has carried out high-quality special operations to promote trade facilitation, working with ports to promote the transformation and upgrading of port services, and helping Qingdao Port achieve the highest overall score in the "2023 Top Ten Sea Container Port Business Environment Assessment." Qingdao Customs, focusing on efficient delivery, closely follows the port's demand for efficient logistics and has introduced measures to support the development of smart ports. Innovating the "one-stop testing" reform, Qingdao Customs has combined tax-related and inspection-related testing into one, increasing the port's tank area turnover capacity by 30%. Moving forward, Qingdao Customs will further promote the development of smart customs and the "Smart Customs Strengthens the Nation" initiative, placing greater emphasis on upholding integrity and innovation, system integration, and effective implementation, fully supporting the expansion and strengthening of the world-class ocean port cluster.