Staff members of the customs check the health declaration information of newly arrived inbound passengers in Chongqing, southwest China, March 29, 2020.File photo:Xinhua

Chinese customs authorities beef up crackdown on smuggling of alien species as China officially rolled out national Biosecurity Law on Thursday to protect the country from unknown biosecurity risks. 

Endowed with a new mission by the new law, customs authorities have strengthened checks on international travelers, transportations, containers, cargos and articles, packages and ballast water discharges from ships on international voyages in and out of the country. This is to ensure that they meet China's biosafety management requirements.

Prior to the new law being officially implemented on Thursday, customs authorities across the country were engaged in a campaign called "Green Gate Shield 2021.'' It allows customs authorities to strictly crack down on the illegal introduction of alien species of animals and plants. And they can issue quarantine licenses for animals and plants brought for scientific research purposes.

Any individuals and agencies should not illegally introduce, carry, deliver, or smuggle alien species into the country. Customs authorities will also pay close attention to illegal delivery of seeds via mail and cross-border e-commerce. 

China's Biosecurity Law has eight provisions to manage and supervise biosecurity threats like major emerging infectious diseases, epidemics and sudden outbreaks, and biotechnology research, development and application.

Global Times