WIC cross-border e-commerce working group meets in Beijing

World Internet Conference (WIC) Working Group on Cross-Border E-Commerce convened a seminar in Beijing on Thursday, exchanging ideas on further advancing its research and work.

Members of the working group and representatives from research institutes specializing in cross-border e-commerce participated in the meeting.

The meeting reviewed the progress made by the working group in 2024 and outlined its work plan for the year ahead. The purpose of the seminar, conveners explained, was to pool expertise and foster consensus within the cross-border e-commerce industry, while maximizing the WIC's role as an international platform for extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, so as to guide the working group's efforts to create a favorable business environment for the growth of the sector.

Experts from various organizations, including the Advisory Committee of the United Nations Network of Experts for Paperless Trade and Transport in Asia and the Pacific (UNNEXT), the China Customs Society, the Expert Committee of APEC E-Commerce Business Alliance, the China International Electronic Commerce Center, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce of China, the University of International Business and Economics, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, Ebrun Think Tank and the Electronic World Trade Platform, put forward constructive suggestions regarding the working group's work plan, output forms and international collaboration in 2025.

Participants agreed that the WIC working group has played a significant role in promoting best practices within the industry over the past year. By conducting diverse activities and research initiatives, it released the 2024 World Internet Conference Collection of Cross-Border E-Commerce Practice Cases and a series of Cross-Border E-Commerce Competitiveness Research Report, they noted.

Experts suggested that, in 2025, the working group should expand the reach and impact of its existing achievements and maximize the value of related research. They emphasized the importance of deeper engagement in surveys and case studies, as well as strengthened coordination and communication with stakeholders along the entire industrial chain in identifying their latest developments and critical challenges.

Efforts should also be made to leverage the WIC's strengths to facilitate international cooperation and further support inclusive and sustainable development of the cross-border e-commerce sector, they added.