The State Council has agreed to establish integrated pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce in 33 cities and areas, including Langfang, Yuncheng, Baotou, Anshan, Lhasa, and the Kazak autonomous prefecture of Ili, according to a reply sent to provincial governments and the Ministry of Commerce on Nov 24.

Detailed plans will be issued by relevant provincial authorities, and names of the pilot zones should include the name of the city or area, according to the letter.

It stressed borrowing experiences and methods from six previous batches of integrated pilot zones to upgrade and transform traditional industries with cross-border e-commerce, and promote industrial digitalization and foreign trade.

It also emphasized work on risk prevention and personal information protection in fostering a good business environment for fair competition among market entities.

Provincial governments should strengthen organization and leadership, and promote development of the pilot zones, according to the letter. Plans with detailed prioritized tasks and highlighted moves should facilitate innovation, and make sure both market and government play their due roles.

An information management mechanism for e-commerce must be set up and enhanced, work plans and experience reports delivered to related departments on a regular basis, and a better development system built for cross-border e-commerce with more supporting facilities, the letter said.

Related departments of the State Council will coordinate guiding the pilot zones, and offer policy support to make them exemplary, the letter said. More favorable measures should be rolled out to help foster and regulate the cross-border e-commerce industry, and help seek innovation in its business-to-business, or B2B, mode, and enhance its statistical system.

Tax exemption and retail import will also be piloted in the zones, and enterprises’ joint construction and use of overseas warehouses encouraged, the letter said.