Ministry of Commerce: China's digital economy international circle continues to expand.

? 29182110 ? 2110 2023? 20221.86.1% ? On both ends of the ancient Silk Road, the two countries have extensive common interests and a solid foundation for cooperation. In recent years, bilateral trade has reached new highs, reaching nearly $80 billion last year. Italy has successively served as the host country for the China International Import Expo and the China International Import and Export Fair, and this year it was the only host country to participate in the third China International Consumer Products Expo. Both sides have created new highlights in areas such as shipbuilding, offshore wind power, energy transformation, and cooperation in the third-party market, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.During Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Di Maio's visit to China this time, Minister Wang Wen Tao had a friendly and candid exchange with him, and the two sides reached many consensuses on further enhancing bilateral trade levels and facilitating mutual investment. China is willing to continue deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Italy, continuously tap trade and investment potential, further enrich the results of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and promote greater development of China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership. Thank you. [Xinhua News Agency Reporter]: General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly stated in his video speech at the 2023 Service Trade Fair that we should promote the reform, innovation, and development of digital trade. What work has the Ministry of Commerce done in promoting the development of digital economy and digital trade? We understand that the Ministry of Commerce is preparing for the second Global Digital Trade Expo. Can you introduce the relevant situation? [He Yadong]: The Ministry of Commerce has deeply implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping's important exposition on the development of digital economy and digital trade, and taken multiple measures to promote digital development in the field of commerce. First, vigorously develop digital trade. Promote the introduction of policies and measures to promote the reform, innovation, and development of digital trade, strengthen the national digital service export base, promote the establishment of the Ministry of Commerce Digital Trade Standardization Technical Committee, strengthen international cooperation on digital trade, and sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of digital trade with the economic and trade departments of the five Central Asian countries. In 2022, China's imports and exports of digitizable services amounted to US$372.7 billion, a year-on-year increase of 3.4%, ranking fifth in the world. Second, accelerate the digital transformation of domestic trade circulation. Strengthen the role of demonstration and drive, and have established 170 national e-commerce demonstration bases; vigorously develop rural e-commerce, and promote the revitalization of rural areas through e-commerce; actively promote online consumption, and online retail sales of physical goods nationwide account for more than 26% of total social consumer retail sales. Third, improve the level of digitalization in trade and investment. The proportion of cross-border e-commerce in the total foreign trade has increased from less than 1% in 2015 to 5% in 2022. The negative list for foreign investment access has been revised several times to include digital economy-related content, and conditional pilot free trade zones have been promoted to conduct pilot testing of international high-standard digital economic rules. Fourth, promote international cooperation and rule-making in the digital field. Actively expand and deepen "Silk Road e-commerce" cooperation and establish bilateral e-commerce cooperation mechanisms with 29 countries. Signed memorandums of understanding on investment cooperation in the digital economy with 18 countries, and a number of digital enterprises have successfully gone overseas. Currently, of the 21 free trade agreements signed by China, 10 set up e-commerce or digital economy chapters, expanding the global circle of friends in the digital economy. Digital trade, goods trade, and service trade have become the three pillars of a trading power. The Global Digital Trade Expo, as the only national-level, international and professional exhibition with digital trade as its theme, is a powerful lever to promote the reform, innovation, and development of digital trade. It is conducive to linking all parties to build markets, promote growth, discuss cooperation, and share achievements, and contribute wisdom and strength to the global development of digital trade. The second Digital Trade Expo will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang from November 23rd to 27th. It is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and Zhejiang Province, with the theme of "Digital Trade, Global Connection." It is characterized by "integrated operation and digital reality integration" and has four major sections: conferences, exhibitions, platforms, and events. It will have one comprehensive pavilion, two characteristic pavilions of cutting-edge trends and Silk Road e-commerce, and four digital industry pavilions of digital technology, digital services, digital content, and intelligent transportation. Currently, the second Digital Trade Expo is fully promoting investment and exhibition, and we sincerely invite all parties to actively participate and share the platform to promote development. Thank you. [PHOENIX TV Reporter]: According to Japanese media reports, a WTO expert group recently issued a report stating that China's imposition of anti-dumping duties on stainless steel products from Japan violates WTO agreements. How will China handle this in the future? [He Yadong]: China has always conducted trade relief work in accordance with WTO rules. We have noticed the report of the WTO expert group. Next, China will handle the follow-up work of this case properly in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations and WTO rules. Thank you. [Japanese Kyodo News Agency reporter]: The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 4th that it has submitted a written document to the World Trade Organization (WTO), stating that Chinas import control measures announced after Japans plan to discharge processed water into the sea from Fukushima are "completely unacceptable". How does the Ministry of Commerce view this? Will there be consultations with Japan on this matter? [He Yadong]: China has repeatedly expressed a firm position on the issue of Japan's discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea and raised serious concerns and doubts at relevant meetings of the WTO and in the review of Japan's trade policies. However, the Japanese government still insists on proceeding with the discharge of radioactive contaminated water into the sea against international opposition. China has taken emergency trade measures in accordance with Chinese laws, regulations, and WTO rules, which are completely justified, reasonable, and necessary. Japan should immediately correct its erroneous behavior and respond to the concerns of the international community. China has noted the written document you mentioned, which is a working document submitted by the Japanese side to the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee under the WTO. The document repeats Japan's consistent stance in the committee. China has always supported the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core and acted in accordance with WTO rules. Japan should reflect on itself and immediately stop transferring the risks of radioactive contamination to the world. Thank you.