Ministry of Commerce: Promote the introduction of a series of policies supporting household services consumption, digital consumption, sports consumption, etc.

On February 27, the Ministry of Commerce held a routine press conference. Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong stated that the comprehensive implementation of the negative list for cross-border trade in services will be carried out, steadily advancing graded opening. Actively connecting with international high-standard economic and trade rules, working with relevant departments to research and introduce a batch of new opening measures in the fields of telecommunications, education, culture, healthcare, finance, and more. They will play a combination of policy measures, accelerate the improvement of the "1+N" policy measures system for service consumption, promote the introduction of a series of policies supporting home services consumption, digital consumption, sports consumption, and expand the supply of high-quality services. Strengthen the cultivation of new formats and models, innovate service consumption scenarios, and enhance people's sense of "gaining". Original text: Ministry of Commerce Holds Routine Press Conference (February 27, 2025) [He Yadong]: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the Ministry of Commerce's routine press conference. Today I have no information to report to everyone. Now please ask your questions. [Reporter from Southern Metropolis Daily]: Recently, the State Council has studied the work related to trade in services and service consumption. What work has the Ministry of Commerce done in the areas of service trade and consumption? How will the State Council's meeting requirements be implemented in the future? [He Yadong]: Developing trade in services and service consumption is an important lever to stabilize foreign trade and expand domestic demand. The Ministry of Commerce conscientiously implements the decisions of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, promotes innovative development in trade in services, and nurtures and strengthens service consumption. In 2024, the total volume of trade in services reached 7.5 trillion RMB nationwide, reaching a historic high, exceeding one trillion US dollars for the first time when calculated in dollars. Service retail sales achieved a growth of 6.2%, and household service consumption expenditure grew by 7.4% year-on-year, contributing 63% to the growth of consumption expenditure. The State Council executive meeting on February 21 proposed attracting domestic and foreign investment in the field of service consumption through "opening up" and "opening up internally", fully stimulating market forces to better meet the quality consumption needs of the people. We will comprehensively implement the negative list for cross-border trade in services and steadily advance graded opening. Actively linking up with international high-standard economic and trade rules, we will work with relevant departments to research and introduce a batch of new opening measures in the fields of telecommunications, education, culture, healthcare, finance, and more. We will play a combination of policy measures, accelerate the improvement of the "1+N" policy measures system for service consumption, promote the introduction of a series of policies supporting home services consumption, digital consumption, sports consumption, and expand the supply of high-quality services. Strengthen the cultivation of new formats and models, innovate service consumption scenarios, and enhance people's sense of "gaining". Thank you. [Reporter from Kyodo News, Japan]: Last week, a Japanese business delegation visited Beijing and met with leaders of the Ministry of Commerce. What is China's evaluation of this and what expectations does China have for future economic and trade cooperation with Japan? [He Yadong]: On February 18, Minister Wang Wentao met with the Japanese economic delegation and held discussions. The size of the Japanese delegation this time reached a record high, with 230 representatives participating, which fully demonstrates the attention and expectations of the Japanese business community towards the Chinese market. The Japanese entrepreneurs attending the meeting expressed that China's stable economic growth is beneficial for Japan, as well as for the East Asian region and the global economy as a whole. They are willing to further deepen cooperation with China at the economic level and continue to contribute to the development of Sino-Japanese relations. The deep integration of the Chinese and Japanese economies, with bilateral trade exceeding 300 billion US dollars for several consecutive years and Japan's cumulative investment in China exceeding 130 billion US dollars, still has enormous growth potential in the future. Both sides should strengthen policy communication, maintain the stability of production and supply chains, safeguard the multilateral trading system core of the World Trade Organization, and enhance regional and multilateral cooperation. We look forward to expanding exchanges and visits between the economic sectors of the two countries, deepening cooperation in areas such as green development, medical care and health preservation, and service trade, and contributing to the healthy and stable development of Sino-Japanese economic and trade relations. Thank you. [Journalist from International Market News, USA]: The U.S. Trade Representative's Office has proposed charging fees on Chinese manufactured ships entering U.S. ports. What is the Ministry of Commerce's comment on this? [He Yadong]: China has previously responded to related issues. China has repeatedly stated that the U.S. Section 301 investigation is a typical act of unilateralism and protectionism that seriously violates WTO rules. China strongly opposes and is dissatisfied with this. If the U.S. insists on levying port fees, it will increase global shipping costs, disrupt the stability of global production and supply chains, increase inflationary pressure in the U.S., weaken the global competitiveness of U.S. goods, harm U.S. consumers and businesses, and cause multiple "backfires" on the U.S. economy and employment. China urges the U.S. to respect facts and multilateral rules and not to repeat mistakes. China will closely monitor U.S. actions and take all necessary measures to resolutely defend its own rights and interests. Thank you. [Journalist from Reuters]: I have two questions. The first question is, the U.S. announced on Tuesday that it is launching an investigation into U.S. copper imports, which could lead to new tariffs. As part of this decision, a White House official stated that China is using national subsidies and excess capacity to undermine competition and control global copper production. What is the Ministry of Commerce's comment on this accusation? The second question is, Trump recently stated that the U.S. and China "could" reach a new trade agreement. What forms of communication or consultations have taken place between the Chinese and American trade teams recently? Have there been discussions on topics such as imposing tariffs? Please introduce the latest exchanges between the two sides. [He Yadong]: Regarding your first question, China has taken note of the U.S. decision to launch an investigation into copper imports. The U.S. investigation is a unilateral act of protectionism under the name of "national security". WTO expert panels ruled back in 2022 that U.S. Section 232 tariffs violate WTO rules, but the U.S. has not only resumed levying steel and aluminum 232 tariffs recently but also unilaterally launched a new 232 investigation, which will further disrupt the rules-based multilateral trading system and disrupt the stability of global production and supply chains. In fact, China is a net importer of refined copper, exporting only a small amount of copper products. The accusation that China is using subsidies and excess capacity to undermine competition is completely groundless. We urge the U.S. to revoke this investigation as soon as possible. If the U.S. insists on taking restrictive measures such as imposing tariffs, China will resolutely take necessary measures to defend its legitimate rights and interests. As for your second question, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the corresponding U.S. departments have always maintained communication. China firmly opposes U.S. unilateral tariff measures and firmly safeguards its legitimate rights and interests.And also willing to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation. Thank you.This article is selected from the official website of the Ministry of Commerce, edited by GMTEight: Li Fo.