He Yadong: Friends from the press, good afternoon. Welcome to the regular press conference of the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). I have no announcement to make today.

The floor is open.

CGTN: On March 28, President Xi Jinping met with representatives of the international business community and delivered an important speech, which has been warmly received both at home and abroad. How will MOFCOM implement the instructions from President Xi’s speech and further improve efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment?

He Yadong: President Xi Jinping’s important speech during the meeting with international business representatives has significantly boosted foreign investors’ confidence and charted the course for China’s efforts to utilize foreign investment in the new era. The Ministry of Commerce will thoroughly study and implement the spirit of President Xi’s speech, steadfastly advance high-standard opening-up, and continue to support foreign enterprises in investing and expanding their presence in China.

First, we will further expand opening-up. Guided by the principle that "opening-up measures should be implemented sooner rather than later and faster rather than slower," we will accelerate the rollout of pilot projects for foreign investment in cloud computing, biotechnology, wholly foreign-owned hospitals, and other sectors. We will leverage opening-up platforms such as pilot free trade zones and the national pilot program for expanding opening-up in the services sector to promote broader trials in telecommunications and healthcare, while steadily and prudently expanding voluntary opening in education and culture. We will push for revisions to shorten the negative list for market access and continue to eliminate hidden barriers beyond the negative list for foreign investment, ensuring that global businesses can not only gain market access but also enjoy the right to operate smoothly within China.

Second, we will uphold fair market competition. In line with the principle of “equal legal application and treatment”, we will ensure national treatment for foreign-funded enterprises. We will work with relevant government branches to guarantee that products manufactured by foreign enterprises in China are eligible for government procurement on an equal footing. We will support foreign enterprises’ equal participation in large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs, and encourage their active involvement in China’s standard-setting and revision processes.

Third, we will strengthen service support. Following the directive to “enhance communication with foreign businesses”, we will fully leverage our task force for key foreign investment projects and organize outreach activities under the “Service Support for Foreign Enterprises” initiative. We will continue to hold monthly roundtable meetings with foreign enterprises with a focus on their key concerns, and work to make these meetings more effective.

China remains a fertile ground for foreign investment. We are confident that with the implementation of these measures, foreign enterprises will achieve even greater success in China. Thank you.

Shenzhen Satellite TV: The 13th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting was held recently. In their joint media statement, the three sides pledged to deepen practical cooperation in the digital economy, supply chain and other areas. What’s your comment on the significance of this meeting? What will MOFCOM do to implement the joint statement?

He Yadong: On March 30, the 13th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting was held in Seoul, the ROK. The ministers focused on implementing key trade and economic deliverables from the 9th China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting. They held in-depth discussions on enhancing trade and investment cooperation and strengthening regional and multilateral collaboration, and reached broad consensus, contributing to the tenth China-Japan-ROK leaders’ meeting.

This Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting was of great significance in the current context of exacerbating unilateralism and protectionism. First, it showcased the parties’ positive attitude. Holding this meeting after a five-year pause reflects the firm resolve of the commerce authorities of the three countries in strengthening economic and trade cooperation and advancing regional economic development amid rising uncertainties and instability in the global economy. Second, it enabled discussions on the direction of development. The three commerce authorities had in-depth communication on a number of topics, including China-Japan-ROK free trade agreement negotiations, supply chain and export control, digital and green economy, business environment, and subnational cooperation. Third, it facilitated exchange of cooperation proposals. The three commerce authorities will advance cooperation under regional and multilateral frameworks, such as the WTO, RCEP, and APEC.

In the next step, MOFCOM will work with its Japanese and ROK counterpart to implement the consensus of the meeting, drive regional commercial cooperation further with solid outcomes, jointly respond to emerging challenges to the global economy, and inject fresh impetus into economic development in the region and beyond. Thank you.

China Securities Journal: It is said that China’s first batch of emergency humanitarian earthquake relief supplies to Myanmar has arrived in the quake zone. Could you please share relevant information?

He Yadong: Ministry of Commerce swiftly implements the guidance and planning of the CPC Central Committee by collecting supplies and coordinating transportation support urgently. Seizing the golden window for rescue, the first batch of disaster-relief supplies arrived at the Yangon International Airport, achieving delivery within 72 hours after the earthquake. The second batch of supplies also arrived at noon today.

In the next step, we continue to deliver supplies including tents and food needed by Myanmar in batches through chartered flights and other means at the fastest speed. Meanwhile, upholding the “pauk-phaw” friendship between the Chinese and Myanmar people, we will organize Chinese companies, chambers of commerce and associations in the local area to give full support for disaster relief and repairing and rebuilding of infrastructure to help the earthquake-hit people combat the disaster and build their homes at an early date. Thank you.

China Media Group: Recently, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held a meeting with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič. Could you please give us more information?

He Yadong: On March 28, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held a meeting with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič. They exchanged views on China-EU economic and trade relations and issues of respective concerns in a candid, in-depth and practical manner and reached some consensus.

The two sides believe that the current international situation is complex and volatile. China and the EU should uphold the independence and stability of China-EU economic and trade relations, and take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU as an opportunity to strengthen dialogue and communication, deepen practical cooperation, jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system, and ensure the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains so as to bring more certainty and positive energy for the world economy.

The two sides held in-depth discussions on trade and investment and agreed to establish regular communication at the ministerial level to strengthen exchanges on major economic and trade issues between China and the EU. Both sides designated liaison persons and instructed their working teams to regularly compare notes on their respective economic and trade concerns and continuously make progress to prepare for high-level exchanges between China and the EU in the next stage.

During the talks, both sides discussed issues such as the EU's anti-subsidy case against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and China's anti-dumping case against EU brandy. They reaffirmed their commitment to resolving economic and trade disputes through dialogue and consultation in accordance with the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and the EU. The two sides agreed to restart price undertaking negotiations on the EV anti-subsidy case as soon as possible to create a sound environment for investment and industrial cooperation between Chinese and European enterprises. In light of the complexity of the case, China at the request of the EU side decided to extend the investigation period for the brandy anti-dumping case in accordance with the law.

Moreover, the two sides discussed specific issues such as the EU's foreign subsidy investigations, cooperation on cosmetics regulation, market access for agricultural and food products, and government procurement. They reiterated their commitment to maintaining market openness to each other and providing a level playing field for enterprise cooperation. Thank you.

Phoenix TV: The United States imposed a 25% tariff on all imported automobiles starting from April 2. What is the Ministry of Commerce’s response to this? How to assess the impact of this move on relevant industries?

He Yadong: China firmly opposes the U.S. imposition of relevant tariff measures based on the so-called "Section 232 investigation." The WTO dispute settlement mechanism has already ruled that the Section 232 tariffs violate multilateral trading rules. This time, the U.S. imposed tariff measures based on a six-year-old report from the so-called automotive Section 232 investigation, once again using the pretext of national security to implement trade protectionism. Many trading partners have expressed strong dissatisfaction with this move.

The global auto industry relies heavily on cross-border industrial and supply chains. Artificially severing the industrial and supply chain between the U.S. and other regions, the U.S. measures do not contribute to so-called "national security" or help the domestic U.S. industry; they only highlight the unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying nature of the U.S. actions. Thank you.

Reuters: I have two questions. First, the United States has imposed a series of tariffs on China. Why have the two sides not held talks? Has the US expressed the possibility of meeting with China? What is China's attitude toward the meeting? Do you have any plans to hold face-to-face talks between the trade teams? Second, can the Ministry of Commerce share more about the timing of the investigation on beef safeguard measures? Some participants mentioned that China will pay visits to relevant countries in May. Can you give us more details about the visit? When will the results of the visit be announced?

He Yadong: On your first question, Vice Premier He Lifeng, principal of trade talks on the Chinese side, held a video call with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on March 26. The Chinese side has issued a press release. The trade departments of China and the US have maintained communication. China is ready to communicate with the US on important economic and trade issues and address each other's concerns through equal-footed dialogue and consultation.

On your second question, at the request of the domestic industry, the Ministry of Commerce launched a safeguard investigation on imported beef on December 27 last year. In strict accordance with Chinese laws and WTO rules, China's investigation authorities have conducted investigation and disclosed information. They have issued questionnaires and held hearings. In the next step, the Chinese investigation authorities will review and verify the response and comments in accordance with the law, take into full consideration the comments of all interested parties, and make an objective and fair ruling based on facts and the law within the prescribed time. Thank you.