China and the European Union (EU) vowed on Tuesday to enhance their cooperation on customs security by signing a deal to establish "smart and safe trade lanes" in a bid to boost trade while countering the threats of piracy and terrorism.

The agreement was signed by Chinese Customs Minister Mu Xinsheng, who was in Brussels for talks, and EU Taxation and Customs Commissioner Laszlo Kovacs.

The scheme will start with pilot projects between Britain and China and the Netherlands and China, covering all sectors but focusing at the outset on sea containers coming in and out of Shenzhen in southern China, the European Commission said.

Source: Xinhua