Ministry of Commerce: China welcomes the Dutch side's proactive suspension of the administrative orders, but there is still a gap from a complete solution to the problem.

On November 20, the Ministry of Commerce held a routine press conference, where the spokesperson He Yongqian introduced the recent key work in the field of commerce. In response to questions from journalists regarding the dispute involving ASML, He Yongqian emphasized that the root cause and responsibility for the current global semiconductor supply chain chaos lie with the Dutch side. The Dutch side voluntarily suspended the administrative order, which China welcomed as the first step in the right direction towards resolving the issue, but there is still a gap in completely resolving the problem. It is hoped that the Dutch side will continue to show sincere cooperation and take practical actions to quickly and effectively promote the early resolution of the ASML semiconductor issue, restoring the security and stability of the global semiconductor production supply chain. He Yongqian also pointed out that the erroneous remarks regarding China made by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sa-noe have provoked strong public anger in China. Japan cannot expect to harm the feelings of others while seeking benefits, as this is not the correct way to deal with China. China urges Japan to immediately correct its erroneous actions. The transcript is as follows: Ministry of Commerce Holds Routine Press Conference (November 20, 2025) [He Yongqian]: Dear journalists, Good afternoon, welcome to the routine press conference of the Ministry of Commerce. Today, I have no information to report to everyone. Please go ahead and ask questions. [Guangzhou Daily Reporter]: We have noticed that in recent years, the Ministry of Commerce has been promoting the innovation and development of time-honored brands. Recently, an international exchange activity for Chinese time-honored brands was held at the CIIE. Can you provide some information on this? What considerations and arrangements does the Ministry of Commerce have in promoting the development of time-honored brands in the future? [He Yongqian]: The Ministry of Commerce, during the 8th CIIE on November 7, held the International Exchange Activity for Chinese Time-Honored Brands and the 5th Chinese Time-Honored Brands Innovation and Development Conference in Shanghai, inviting representatives from internationally renowned brands, professional institutions, and Chinese time-honored brand enterprises to discuss and exchange under the theme of "upholding tradition and promoting innovation," working together to advance cooperation and innovation in time-honored brand brands. The event released the "Annual Development Report of Chinese Time-Honored Brands" and typical cases of upholding tradition and innovation. I would like to share some data from the report with you. As of now, there are a total of 1450 Chinese time-honored brand enterprises nationwide, overall developing well, with an average brand survival time of over 145 years, and over 60% of them being centennial old stores. They possess over 1,200 various intangible cultural heritage items, covering 7 categories and 32 industries of the national economy, playing important roles in consumer promotion, industrial upgrading, cultural leadership, and national confidence. In 2024, Chinese time-honored brand enterprises achieved a total operating income of over 2 trillion yuan, a profit of over 350 billion yuan, and overseas revenue exceeding 50 billion yuan, demonstrating strong market value and brand vitality. In the future, we will earnestly implement the spirit of the 4th Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, expand the supply of high-quality consumer goods and services, strengthen brand leadership and the application of new technologies, improve the long-term mechanism for the protection, inheritance, and innovation development of time-honored brands, implement major policies such as upgrading urban commercial quality, promote the innovation and upgrading of a group of time-honored brands, establish a collection of time-honored brand stores and flagship stores, nurture a group of time-honored brand brands with international recognition, while better meeting the needs of quality and diversity, allow more time-honored brands to become "golden business cards" for spreading Chinese culture and connecting the global market. Thank you. [Journalist from the American International Market News Agency]: Recently, senior delegations from Germany and Spain visited Beijing and met with Chinese officials to discuss trade and investment issues. Have there been any progress on the economic and trade agreement that may be reached between China and Europe, or on persistent disagreements such as the electric vehicle tariff? [He Yongqian]: China and Europe are important economic and trade partners for each other. China is willing to work together with Europe to implement the important consensus of the leaders of both sides, maintain close communication at all levels, handle economic and trade disputes properly, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the positive and forward development of China-Europe economic and trade relations. Thank you. [Journalist from Times Weekly]: Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and other departments jointly issued a notice on "Further Strengthening the Management of Export of Second-Hand Cars." What expected impact will these measures have on the export of second-hand cars in China? How will the balance between regulation and industrial development be maintained? [He Yongqian]: Recently, the Ministry of Commerce, together with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the General Administration of Customs, issued a notice on "Further Strengthening the Management of Export of Second-Hand Cars." This is a policy refinement carried out in response to the needs of the industry for high-quality development on the basis of the current management system. The notice sets out six specific measures in strict export management, strengthening compliance review, and promoting healthy and sustainable development of exports. By strictly controlling the export of new cars under the name of second-hand cars, establishing a dynamic management and exit mechanism for enterprises, formulating a negative list of dishonest behaviors in second-hand car exports, further regulating the business operations of enterprises, guiding the industry to continuously improve comprehensive service levels, improving the export support system, achieving classified management of second-hand cars and new car exports, complementary advantages, and coordinated development. After the issuance of the notice, it has been widely recognized and positively evaluated by all sectors of society, as it embodies the sustainable development concept of "strong regulation, high quality, and excellent service" in the export of second-hand cars, conducive to enhancing the overall development level and international competitiveness of the industry. In the future, the Ministry of Commerce will, together with relevant departments, guide localities to implement policies effectively, promote the transition of the export of second-hand cars from "scale growth" to "value growth," and provide consumers around the world with a richer and more diverse product selection. Thank you. [Journalist from CGTN]: We noted that Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sa-noe recently made erroneous remarks regarding Taiwan, which has had a serious negative impact on China-Japan economic and trade exchanges and cooperation. What is the spokesperson's comment on this? Is China considering taking economic countermeasures against individuals or entities in Japan based on the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China, etc.? [He Yongqian]: Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sa-noe openly made erroneous remarks regarding Taiwan, fundamentally harming the political foundation of China-Japan relations, bringing serious negative impacts to bilateral economic and trade exchanges and cooperation. China urges Japan to retract its erroneous words and actions with a responsible attitude towards history and China-Japan relations, fulfill its commitments to China in earnest, and create a good environment for the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. If Japan insists on its own course and continues to move further away from the right path, China will resolutely take necessary measures, and Japan will bear all consequences. Thank you. [Journalist from Bloomberg]: Bloomberg previously reported that China and the United States are still negotiating key details regarding the "General License" for the export of rare earths. US Treasury Secretary Benson said he hopes to complete the relevant negotiations before Thanksgiving. Can the spokesperson provide information on the progress of the negotiations and the specific reasons hindering progress? [He Yongqian]: Currently, China is strictly implementing the relevant work according to the consensus reached during the China-US Kuala Lumpur economic and trade negotiations. Thank you. [Journalist from Reuters]: I have two questions. The first question is that there have been reports that the Chinese government has notified Japan to suspend the import of water products from Japan. Can the Ministry of Commerce confirm this news? The second question is that the Netherlands previously stated that a government delegation went to China earlier this week to seek a resolution to the dispute involving the chip manufacturer ASML. Can the Ministry of Commerce provide more details? [He Yongqian]: Thank you for your questions. Regarding your first question, I do not have any information to provide at the moment. However, I want to emphasize that the erroneous remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sa-noe regarding China have sparked strong public anger in China. Japan cannot expect to harm the feelings of others while seeking benefits, as this is not the correct way to deal with China. China urges Japan to immediately correct its erroneous actions. Regarding your second question, we have already released relevant information yesterday, which you can refer to. I want to emphasize that the root cause and responsibility for the current global semiconductor supply chain chaos lie with the Dutch side. The Dutch side voluntarily suspended the administrative order, which China welcomed as the first step in the right direction towards resolving the issue, but there is still a gap in completely resolving the problem. It is hoped that the Dutch side will continue to show sincere cooperation, take practical actions, and quickly and effectively promote the early resolution of the ASML semiconductor issue, restoring the security and stability of the global semiconductor production supply chain. Thank you. This article is compiled from the official website of the Ministry of Commerce. Edited by GMTEight: Feng Qiuyi.