The State Council, China's cabinet, approved another batch of pilot cross-border e-commerce zones in Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Chifeng, and 21 other cities, in a circular released on Dec 24.

According to the circular, the new pilot zones should deepen administration streamlining, exempt value-added tax and consumption tax for retail and exported goods, and promote industrial upgrades, brand building and free trade, among others.

Meanwhile, it also called for efforts to safeguard national security, prevent any loopholes in networks, transactions, biology, and product quality in import and export, and create a fair business environment for all market players.

Related provincial-level governments were asked to enhance organization and highlight local features and advantages in building the pilot zones.

Departments under the State Council will strengthen guidance and policy support, and the Ministry of Commerce should take the lead in coordination, analysis, supervision, and evaluation of the pilot zones as needed.