On June 17, 2025, the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (BCECC) held its annual China-Belgium Customs Event at BNP Paribas Fortis in Brussels.
The event was opened by Mr. Bernard Dewit, Chairman of the BCECC, followed by a keynote presentation from Mr. Emmanuel Geronnez, the newly appointed Belgian Customs Attaché at the General Administration of Customs and Excise. Responsible for mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, Mr. Geronnez illustrated the global networks of Belgian customs attachés and highlighted the EU’s transition toward a fully digital customs environment. He elaborated on the EU’s e-Customs strategy and key initiatives such as ICS2 (a pre-arrival safety and security system) and AES (Automated Export System), which aim to enhance efficiency, security, and trade facilitation across EU member states through standardized data exchange and streamlined procedures.
Mr. Gao Xiang, Minister Counsellor for Customs at the Chinese Mission to the EU, then introduced two speakers from his team—Mr. Fang Yuan and Ms. Zhao Yan, both First Secretaries at the Chinese Mission. They provided updates on recent financial and labor developments of the Chinese customs trade. Ms. Zhao Yan specifically discussed the current status of three key areas in China: processing trade, bonded warehouses, and free trade zones, and emphasised the flexibility these mechanisms offer to international importers at the moment.
The event concluded with one-on-one meetings between participants with both the Belgian customs attaché and the Minister Counsellor Customs of the Chinese Mission to the EU and his team, offering companies the opportunity to address individual concerns and strengthen future cooperation in EU-China customs relations.
To consult the speakers’ presentations, please click here.
Please find in the gallery below some photos of the event.
