Hong Kong Customs hosts a forward-looking regional conference to advance smart customs development.

　　Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong, March 13 (Reporter Wang Xinyi) - As the Vice-Chair of the World Customs Organization Asia-Pacific Region, Hong Kong Customs hosted a three-day Asia-Pacific Smart Customs Conference from March 11 to 13, bringing together key global stakeholders to jointly promote the digital transformation of customs operations.

　　This is the first large-scale regional conference themed on smart customs, with over 200 representatives from the World Customs Organization, customs agencies worldwide, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the innovation and technology sector attending.

　　Hong Kong SAR Government Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung stated at the opening ceremony on the 11th that smart customs play an important role in promoting the vibrant trade exchanges in the Asia-Pacific region and addressing transnational challenges. He said that the construction of smart customs in the Asia-Pacific region includes four core pillars: intelligent data-driven, single trade window, smart inspection, and multilateral connectivity, using Hong Kong Customs' image analysis system "Wise Shield" and electronic document verification platform "ValidAP" as innovative practice cases. He called for the coordination of digital standards, narrowing digital disparities, strengthening cooperation between the government and the private sector, promoting sustainable economic growth, and building a more resilient supply chain.

　　Hong Kong Customs Commissioner Hermes Tang introduced the application achievements of Hong Kong Customs in fields such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data in his speech, emphasizing that the success of smart customs construction relies on mutual trust, partnership, and close collaboration. He stated that Hong Kong Customs is promoting transformation with technologies such as artificial intelligence, leveraging internal and external connectivity, playing a bridging role of "bringing in and going out," and deepening exchanges and cooperation between industries and customs agencies worldwide. In the future, Hong Kong Customs will continue to advance the digital reform of customs clearance, facilitate global trade connectivity, and help build a more resilient supply chain.

　　In the exhibition hall, several mainland and Hong Kong tech innovation companies showcased cutting-edge applications such as intelligent patrol robots and smart port community systems, attracting many customs representatives from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and ASEAN countries and regions to stop and inquire.

　　During the conference, multiple keynote speeches and seminars were held to promote the exchange of experiences and practices in smart customs construction among all parties. The representatives also conducted on-site visits to customs facilities in Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau to closely understand the achievements of customs in these three places in the application of technological innovation.

　　The conference concluded successfully with all parties reaffirming the consensus on advancing smart customs construction. Participants expressed their intention to make good use of technology and partnership cooperation to jointly create a more efficient, safer, and more closely interconnected future for global trade.