Ministry of Commerce: China is willing to manage differences with the U.S. and promote cooperation, and will introduce policies and measures to expand inbound consumption

On January 26 (Monday) at 3 PM, the State Council Information Office held a press conference. Mr. Yan Dong, Vice Minister of Commerce, introduced the business work and operational situation for 2025 and answered questions from reporters. Other attendees included Ms. Yang Mu, Director of the Department of Market Operation and Consumption Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Wang Zhihua, Director of the Department of Foreign Trade, and Mr. Wang Ya, head of the Foreign Investment Management Department.

The key points summarized are as follows:

Ministry of Commerce: China is willing to manage differences with the U.S., promote cooperation, and maintain stable, healthy, and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations

On January 26, Vice Minister Yan Dong stated at the press conference that in 2025, China and the U.S. adhered to the principles of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, and conducted five rounds of economic and trade consultations, achieving a series of positive results, fully proving that China and the U.S. can find solutions to problems through equal dialogue and consultation. After the meeting between the two heads of state in Busan, both sides continued to communicate at all levels through the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, jointly promoting the implementation of the important consensus reached at the head-of-state meeting and the results of the Kuala Lumpur economic and trade consultations. In the next step, China is willing to work with the U.S. based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation to jointly maintain and implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, effectively utilize the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, manage differences, promote cooperation, and maintain stable, healthy, and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Ministry of Commerce: China agrees to improve the decision-making mechanism of the WTO and calls for more members to join the multilateral temporary appeal arbitration arrangement

At 3 PM on January 26, the State Council Information Office held a press conference on the business work and operational situation for 2025. Vice Minister Yan Dong introduced that 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of China's accession to the WTO. China has gradually grown from a passive recipient of rules to an active participant and important contributor, and will participate in WTO work with a more proactive and open attitude.

China agrees to improve the decision-making mechanism and calls for more members to join the multilateral temporary appeal arbitration arrangement. It supports the formulation of new rules that keep pace with the times on topics such as industrial policy, trade and environment, and trade and artificial intelligence, better responding to industry demands and the needs of the times.

Ministry of Commerce: This year will vigorously develop service trade and introduce policies to expand inbound consumption

On January 26, Mr. Wang Zhihua, Director of the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce, stated at the press conference that this year will see vigorous development of service trade, improvement of the negative list management system for cross-border service trade, and orderly promotion of service market opening. A national service trade innovation and development demonstration zone will be established, advantageous production service exports will be expanded, and the agglomeration development of service trade in intellectual property, human resources, and other areas will be promoted. Professional service institutions in design, consulting, finance, accounting, and law will be encouraged to enhance their international service capabilities; traditional advantageous service exports such as education, traditional Chinese medicine, and Chinese cuisine will be encouraged; and policies to expand inbound consumption will be introduced.

Ministry of Commerce: Last year, China-U.S. economic and trade consultations achieved positive results, providing a "reassurance" for the world economy

At 3 PM on January 26, the State Council Information Office held a press conference, inviting Vice Minister Yan Dong to introduce the business work and operational situation for 2025 and answer questions from reporters. He stated that the effectiveness of the work in 2025 is reflected in significant results from multilateral and bilateral cooperation. From a bilateral perspective, under the guidance of the head-of-state diplomatic strategy, China-U.S. economic and trade consultations achieved positive results, providing a "reassurance" for the world economy We have also signed the upgraded Protocol of the Free Trade Area 3.0 with ASEAN, implemented the free trade agreement with the Maldives, and advanced the implementation of unilateral open measures such as 100% zero tariffs for countries that have established diplomatic relations in Africa, injecting more certainty and positive energy into global development.

Ministry of Commerce: China is not only willing to be the world's factory but also the world's market

On January 26, Wang Zhihua, Director of the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce, stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that this year China will unswervingly promote high-level opening up, drive innovative and balanced trade development. China is not only willing to be the world's factory but also the world's market, and its super-large market will provide broader opportunities for products from various countries.

Ministry of Commerce: Launching the construction of national digital trade demonstration zones and formulating relevant standards for digital trade

Wang Zhihua, Director of the Foreign Trade Department of the Ministry of Commerce, stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that the next step will be to innovate and develop digital trade, launch the construction of national digital trade demonstration zones, formulate relevant standards for digital trade, promote the integration of domestic and international standards, drive the digital transformation of service outsourcing, cultivate and strengthen digital trade operators, and successfully hold the Global Digital Trade Expo.

Ministry of Commerce: Equally support foreign enterprises in boosting consumption, government procurement, and bidding activities

On January 26, Wang Ya, head of the Foreign Investment Management Department of the Ministry of Commerce, stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that this year, with a focus on the service industry, the market access and open fields will be expanded in an orderly manner, and the independent opening of telecommunications, healthcare, education, and other fields will be gradually expanded. Pilot projects will be promoted to land as soon as possible, and foreign-funded enterprises in the service industry will be supported to extend their value chains and achieve specialized, integrated, and digital development. At the same time, foreign investment support policies will be further optimized. Policies such as tax credits for direct investments made by foreign investors in China and encouraging foreign investment in specific industries will be implemented fairly to support foreign enterprises in participating in boosting consumption, government procurement, and bidding activities, helping foreign enterprises to take root and develop in China for the long term.

Ministry of Commerce: Last year, non-financial direct investment in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative grew by 18%

Yuan Dong, Vice Minister of Commerce, stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that in the past year, bilateral investment between China and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative has shown new vitality. By 2025, China's non-financial direct investment in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative will reach 283.36 billion yuan, an increase of 18%; direct investment from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative in China will reach 116.81 billion yuan, an increase of 1.9%. Yuan Dong pointed out that this year, the "Invest in China" brand activities will continue to be well organized to attract more countries to invest in China, guide the reasonable and orderly cross-border layout of industrial chains, play a good role in various platforms, and actively negotiate and sign cooperation documents for production and supply chains.

Ministry of Commerce: In 2026, the focus will be on the service industry to expand market access and open fields

Wang Ya, head of the Foreign Investment Management Department of the Ministry of Commerce, stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that in 2026, the focus will be on the service industry to expand market access and open fields in an orderly manner, gradually expanding the independent opening of telecommunications, healthcare, education, and other fields, promoting pilot projects to land as soon as possible, supporting foreign-funded enterprises in the service industry to extend their value chains, achieve specialized, integrated, and digital development, and promote the expansion and quality improvement of the service industry

Ministry of Commerce: A national-level comprehensive overseas service platform will be launched soon

Wang Ya, head of the Foreign Investment Management Department of the Ministry of Commerce, stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that a national-level comprehensive overseas service platform will be launched soon. This platform will integrate service resources from foreign affairs, legal, financial, tax, trade, logistics, customs, and trade promotion fields, focusing on common needs related to enterprises going abroad, such as policy consultation, business handling, country information, dynamic news, resource docking, and risk prevention, forming a window and a one-stop overseas service platform.

Ministry of Commerce: Promoting the improvement of supply levels in cultural entertainment, tourism and leisure, catering and accommodation, sports events, and healthcare

On January 26, Deputy Minister of Commerce Yan Dong stated at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office that this year, the ministry will continue to optimize service supply and implement actions to enhance service consumption quality and benefit the public, working with relevant departments to promote the improvement of supply levels in cultural entertainment, tourism and leisure, catering and accommodation, sports events, and healthcare. The ministry will adhere to opening up to the outside world while relaxing restrictions internally. On one hand, it will expand high-level opening of the service industry, deepen pilot programs in cloud computing, biotechnology, and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, guide foreign investment towards the service consumption sector, and enrich high-quality, diversified service supply. On the other hand, it will eliminate unreasonable restrictive measures in the service consumption sector that do not conform to market laws and hinder consumption upgrades, reduce hidden barriers, and encourage various business entities to compete fairly and develop in an orderly manner