He Yongqian: Friends from the press, good afternoon. Welcome to MOFCOM regular press conference. I don’t have any announcement to make today. The floor is open.

CNS: Last week, the State Council held an executive meeting, proposing that China will enhance the quality and efficiency of its pilot free trade zones. Not long ago, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council issued the Opinions on Implementing the Strategy of Upgrading Pilot Free Trade Zones, making systematic arrangements for the development of pilot free trade zones. What measures will the Ministry of Commerce introduce to enhance the quality and efficiency of pilot free trade zones?

He Yongqian: Since the 20th National Congress of the CPC proposed to implement the strategy of upgrading pilot free trade zones, the Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with relevant localities and departments, has made outstanding achievements in institutional reform, opening up, and development of pilot free trade zones. Efforts include following through important policy documents such as the Opinions on Implementing the Upgrading Strategy of Pilot Free Trade Zones and the work plan for the commodity resource allocation hub in China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Qualified free trade zones such as the one in Shanghai are encouraged to take the initiative to pilot new policies in alignment with international high-standard economic and trade rules. The negative list for cross-border trade in services in the free trade zones has been issued and implemented. Opening-up trials have been carried out in sectors such as cross-border data flow, telecommunications and healthcare.

The recent executive meeting of the State Council reviewed the progress made in improving the quality and efficiency of the pilot free trade zones and made important arrangements for the next steps. In line with the decisions and plans of the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council, the Ministry of Commerce will step up implementation of the FTZ upgrading strategy through four key dimensions. First, we will accelerate full implementation of the Opinions, translating policy mandates into practical application scenarios and projects to foster tangible productive forces. Second, we will intensify efforts to pursue institutional opening-up at deeper levels by benchmarking against high-level trade frameworks including CPTPP and DEPA focusing on such areas as service trade and cross-border data flow. Third, we will expand the authorization of reform tasks that suit local conditions, support pilot free trade zones in carrying out integrated innovation throughout the entire industrial chain around key industries such as biomedicine, equipment manufacturing, marine economy and shipping and logistics, and create more world-class advanced industrial clusters. Fourth, we will optimize the regional layout in accordance with the actual needs of industrial development to create greater development space for the pilot free trade zones as required by the Central Committee of the CPC. Thank you.

MNI: China and the United States agreed to establish a mechanism to further discuss economic and trade issues. Could you please share more details of the mechanism? When will the first meeting take place and what specific topics are on the agenda?

He Yongqian: China is always open to addressing economic and trade concerns through dialogue and communication. Based on the consensus reached in Geneva between China and the United States, both sides agreed to establish an economic and trade consultation mechanism to maintain communication on their respective concerns in the economic and trade fields. China will release relevant information in due course. Thank you.

CNBC: I have two questions. Under the uncertainties of the tariff situation between China and the United States, what changes have occurred in the volume of imports and transshipment to third countries from China’s pilot free trade zones? What are the main products exempt from import duties? The second question is, what topics have been discussed more frequently in the recent exchanges between China and the United States? What will be the focus of future discussions?

He Yongqian: Regarding the first question you mentioned, as I just said, the pilot free trade zones are comprehensive reform and opening up experiment platforms established by the Chinese government of its own accord. Facing the current complex and severe international situation, the pilot free trade zones have demonstrated strong resilience. From January to March 2025, the total import and export volume of the pilot free trade zones reached 2 trillion yuan, increasing by 2.2% year-on-year, higher than the national average.

On the issue of specific import tariff rates for products, enterprises involved in related import business can consult the local customs.

With regard to your second question, from May 10 to 11, He Lifeng, the Chinese lead person for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs and Vice Premier of the State Council, and the U.S. lead persons Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, held the high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs in Geneva, Switzerland. The two sides engaged in candid, in-depth and constructive communication based on the important consensus reached during the phone call between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state on January 17, 2025. They reached a series of important consensus and made substantial progress. The two sides reached the Joint Statement on China-U.S. Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva. Going forward, China and the United States will maintain communication on their respective concerns in the economic and trade fields based on the consensus reached in Geneva. Thank you.

Radio Television Hong Kong: I have two questions. CK Hutchison Holdings stated in a declaration that it is absolutely impossible for any port transaction to occur under illegal or non-compliant conditions. What is your comment on this statement? My second question: U.S. President Trump stated that he may speak with President Xi Jinping this weekend. Is this true? Regarding Trump's remarks that the tariff reduction will not involve automobiles, steel, aluminum, or the tariffs that may be imposed on pharmaceuticals, what is MOFCOM’s comment?

He Yongqian: Since March of this year, relevant departments have issued multiple statements emphasizing that any transaction involving the sales of ports by CK Hutchison Holdings will be subject to lawful review, in order to safeguard fair market competition and protect the public interest. All parties involved in the transaction must not circumvent review by any means, and implementation of the transaction is prohibited prior to obtaining approval. Violations will entail legal consequences. We hope the enterprises concerned remain clear-headed and act with prudence.

On your second question: Inquiries concerning the first part should be directed to the competent Chinese authorities. Regarding the U.S. imposition of Section 232 tariffs on imported automobiles, steel and aluminum products, and the launch of a Section 232 investigation into imported pharmaceuticals, China views these actions as typical unilateralism and protectionism. Such measures not only undermine the legitimate rights and interests of other countries but also damage the rules-based multilateral trading system, doing no good to the development of U.S. domestic industries. China urges the United States to promptly cease the Section 232 tariff measures and properly address all parties’ concerns through equal-footed dialogue. Thank you.

Reuters: I have two questions. On Monday, MOFCOM issued an announcement that it would take necessary steps to suspend or remove non-tariff countermeasures against the U.S. as of April 2. Does this mean that the Chinese government will soon suspend or remove export controls on rare earth products on April 4? We’ve learned that in less than one month since the imposition of rare earth export controls, some Chinese rare earth magnet makers have obtained export licenses. Is that true? My second question: Following the meeting with the United States in Switzerland last weekend, what non-tariff measures has China canceled or suspended?

He Yongqian: Let me first answer your second question. In view of the United States’ decision, based on the consensus reached during the high-level China-U.S. economic and trade meeting, to revoke, suspend, or adjust certain additional tariffs on Chinese goods, China has accordingly made adjustments to its tariff and non-tariff countermeasures against the U.S.

As for your first question, I don’t have anything to offer at this moment. We will release timely information. Thank you.

CCTV: The Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce has issued an announcement stating that the use of Huawei Ascend chips anywhere in the world constitutes a violation of U.S. export control regulations. What is MOFCOM’s comment?

He Yongqian: China has taken note of the relevant situation. The announcement by the United States is a typical example of non-market, unilateral coercion and fully exposes its unilateralist and protectionist nature. The U.S. side has abused its export control measures to intensify unjustified restrictions on Chinese chip products under baseless pretexts. This has seriously infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, severely threatened the stability of global semiconductor industrial and supple chains, and gravely undermined market rules and the international economic and trade order.

Such actions by the U.S. are detrimental to the long-term, mutually beneficial, and sustainable cooperation between and development of businesses of both countries. China urges the U.S. side to immediately correct its erroneous practices and will take firm measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. Thank you.