As a responsible stake-holder, China Customs has spared no efforts in contributing to the WCO since China acceded to the WCO in 1983. These efforts include, but not limited to, adopting and implementing a series of important WCO instruments, such as the Revised Kyoto Convention and the SAFE Framework of Standards, and actively participating in WCO activities and initiatives especially in the area of Customs enforcement against smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeiting, and protection of trade security and facilitation.

With strong commitment to further contribute to the WCO and international Customs community, and to promote more extensively and intensively the awareness and practices of compliance and facilitation worldwide, China Customs has decided to nominate Mr. ZHU Gaozhang, Director General of International Cooperation Department of the General Administration of China Customs, as candidate for the post of Director of Compliance and Facilitation Directorate of the WCO.

With profound professional background and excellent executive capability, Mr. ZHU has nearly 30 years’ working experience in Customs, and has spent the past 10 years leading and managing China Customs’ international cooperation affairs. Under his leadership and initiatives, China Customs has carried out a succession of international instruments conducive to the security and facilitation of global supply chain, established friendly bilateral relations with more than 110 Customs administrations and signed 64 agreements on Customs cooperation and mutual assistance, and the pilot programs of SAFE Framework of Standards such as China-EC Secure and Smart Trade Lanes, as well as China Customs AEO programs. In addition, Mr. ZHU is also an active and dynamic performer at the international Customs forums and conferences, where he successfully organized and chaired many important and magnificent international meetings and was invited to make keynote speeches.

I strongly believe that Mr. ZHU would be the best candidate for WCO’s Director of Compliance and Facilitation. I am convinced that, if elected, he can offer much to support the international Customs community in our combined efforts to secure and facilitate the global trade in the 21st Century. It is my sincerest hope that your Administration can give Mr. ZHU Gaozhang your strongest support.