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BEIJING, Aug. 18-- Amid great global economic uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, China's foreign trade sector has delivered better-than-expected performances so far this year, with cross-border e-commerce providing impetus. In the first half of the year, trade volumes via cross-border e-commerce platforms, under the oversight of customs authorities, increased by 26.2 percent year on year, with exports and imports up by 28.7 percent and 24.4 percent, respectively, data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed. As COVID-19 dealt a heavy blow to traditional trade models, cross-border e-commerce has become a major driving force for stabilizing foreign trade, said Wei Jianguo, vice chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges. Expansion in the sector came as authorities unveiled a slew of supportive measures, including further optimizing the business climate at ports, quickening customs clearances, and accelerating export tax rebates. In April, the State Council decided at an executive meeting to set up 46 new, comprehensive cross-border e-commerce pilot zones, bringing the total number to 105. In addition to applying the practices proven effective in boosting the flow of commerce, firms in these zones will enjoy support policies, such as exemption of value-added and consumption taxes on retail exports, and assessed levies of corporate income tax. Companies will be supported to jointly build and share overseas warehouses, said a statement released after the meeting. | 
