Core Points - The press conference highlighted the achievements of the customs authorities in combating smuggling and enhancing international cooperation since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan [1][2] Group 1: Smuggling Crackdown - The customs authorities, in collaboration with police and other departments, have investigated 23,000 smuggling cases with a total value of nearly 480 billion yuan, including over 60 billion yuan in taxes [1] - Specific operations targeting drug smuggling resulted in 3,032 cases, with 15.7 tons of various drugs seized [1] - The crackdown on "foreign garbage" smuggling has led to a 96% reduction in the weight of solid waste verified in 2024 compared to 2020 [1] Group 2: International Cooperation - The "Mekong Dragon" operation, initiated by Chinese and Vietnamese customs, has conducted five phases since the 14th Five-Year Plan, involving over 20 participating countries and resulting in the seizure of over 60 tons of drugs and 479 tons of endangered wildlife products [2] - The "Goddess of the Earth" operation, aimed at combating solid waste smuggling, has also been launched five times under the World Customs Organization framework, with reported seizures of 35,000 tons of smuggled waste [2]

Core Insights - The Chinese customs authorities have intensified efforts to combat smuggling crimes, resulting in the investigation of 23,000 cases with a total value of nearly 480 billion yuan and over 60 billion yuan in taxes involved since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan [1] Group 1: Smuggling of Solid Waste - The "Blue Sky" initiative has significantly reduced the smuggling of "foreign garbage," with a 96% decrease in the weight of solid waste detected in 2024 compared to 2020 [3] - Since 2021, China has banned the import of solid waste, effectively curbing environmental pollution and promoting the transformation of the domestic recycling industry [2] - Customs has inspected over 9 million batches of import and export goods, returning more than 4,000 batches of solid waste and investigating 589 criminal cases related to smuggling waste [2][3] Group 2: International Cooperation - The "Goddess of the Earth" initiative, launched under the World Customs Organization framework, has seen participation from multiple countries, reporting the seizure of 35,000 tons of smuggled waste [3] - The "Mekong" initiative, a joint effort between Chinese and Vietnamese customs, has focused on combating drug trafficking and the smuggling of endangered wildlife, with over 60 tons of drugs and 479 tons of endangered species products seized [4] Group 3: Biosecurity Measures - The customs authorities have strengthened measures to prevent the entry of animal diseases and invasive species, seizing over 64,000 exotic pets and 110,000 tons of smuggled frozen products since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan [5] - Advanced inspection technologies have been deployed to detect harmful organisms without opening packages, enhancing biosecurity at the borders [5]