Aerial photo shows imported soybean in bulk being transferred from a ship to containers in Huangshi New Port of central China's Hubei Province on Dec. 27, 2019.  (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus that weighed on the operation of thousands of trading companies, the Chinese customs have issued a batch of measures on Sunday, which include expanding the imports of agricultural products and food as well as simplifying the approval process of imported medical supplies to stabilize the nation's foreign trade.


Under the new policies, customs authorities should speed up the verification and releasing process of equipment, machines and raw materials, while also simplifying the quarantine approval of medical items, in particular vaccines, blood products and detection reagents that are used to prevent, detect and cure the new epidemic, according to a statement issued by the General Administration of Customs on Sunday. 


Meanwhile, China also encourages domestic trading agencies to scale up the imports of agricultural products and food.


In some key ports, a "green channel" should be set up for such imports to allow a 24-hour clearing appointment, the statement said. Companies are also encouraged to expand imports under supportive policies.


Another batch of policies include simplifying the procedures for enterprises' registrations and trade extensions, simplifying and fastening administrative penalties, as well as migrating some businesses online.