Cross-border e-commerce hits fast lane

Alibaba Group Holding, a wholly-owned subsidiary, will invest S$312.5 million ($249 million) to purchase a 10.35 percent stake in Singapore Post, a move directly connecting China's e-commerce system with overseas logistics, according to a May 29 China Daily report.

Alibaba has also singed a deal with Australia Post to help more Western merchants sell to Chinese consumers and has signed separate deals with the French government and UK Trade & Investment to boost exports to China.

While Alibaba and eBay are strengthening their capability as a platform helping online sellers cross borders, the government is also doing its job by creating an environment favorable for the development of the country's e-commerce.

The commerce ministry's Li Jinqi said the body will conduct policy research, aiming to change regulations designed for traditional foreign trade but not suitable for cross-border e-commerce. The ministry will also speed up the creation of measures enabling cross border e-commerce and further improve network infrastructure, logistics and payment systems.

There will be a forum on cross border e-commerce today at the ongoing conference, part of the China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services which ends on Sunday.

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