Pudong New Area in Shanghai has been making steady progress in boosting international trade through the innovation of service and mechanisms, officials said at a trade promotion conference held on Jan 6.

"Li'antong", the first information platform for offshore trade examination in China, was launched on Oct 14, 2021 in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone to help banks judge the facticity of offshore trade activities by leveraging overseas customs data, international shipping data, as well as loading and unloading information at ports.

Efforts have also been made to push forward the construction of Shanghai's cross-border e-commerce big data platform. Based on the risk evaluation on the supply chain, the platform has accelerated clearance speed for nearly 1,000 Pudong-based companies, with the combined import clearance time reduced by 20 percent.

In addition, Pudong has piloted the import of supplies for biomedical research and development. The first white paper for the supplies was released recently.

Pudong is the cross-border e-commerce hub of Shanghai, with the largest trade volume and most dynamic development, said Yang Chao, deputy chief of the area, adding that eight zones in Pudong have been designated as cross-border e-commerce demonstration zones in Shanghai.

The area is also home to 27 import and export companies that have been recognized as demonstration companies for international trade distribution in Shanghai. The number accounted for 68 percent of the city's total.

After the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) came into effect on Jan 1, Pudong made plans to further advance its foreign trade capacity by deepening reform and opening-up in customs procedures, optimizing the business environment and expanding a slew of import and export trade platforms, officials said.