He Yadong: Friends from the media: Good afternoon. Welcome to the regular press conference of MOFCOM. With no announcement to make today, I now open the floor for questions.

CGTN: Minister Wang Wentao mentioned in the press conference held by the State Council Information Office on January 26 that MOFCOM convened 15 round table meetings for foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) in 2023, and such meetings will continue to be held once a month in 2024. What are the outcomes of these round tables and how will MOFCOM arrange this year’s round table meetings?

He Yadong: Following the instructions of the State Council, in July 2023, MOFCOM set up the FIE round table meeting system under the foreign trade and foreign investment coordination service mechanism, with the aim to strengthen regular communication with FIEs and foreign chambers of commerce and help them resolve difficulties.

Last year, MOFCOM held 15 round table meetings with the participation by more than 400 FIEs and foreign chambers of commerce. We have adopted a “one company, one policy” approach to addressing FIEs’ individual problems, and collaborated with line ministries to put forward targeted policy measures to tackle the common issues of the industries. We have worked to solve over 300 problems raised by FIEs at the round table meetings so far. Apart from that, in September 2023, MOFCOM launched the online system for the collection and handling of FIEs’ requests, which serves as the “online FIE round table meeting” to expand the public channels for FIEs, especially SMEs to express their concerns. According to those FIEs, at the round table meetings, the government could respond directly to their problems, hence firming up their confidence in making long-term investment in China with the impression that China’s business environment is constantly improving.

On January 12, Minister Wang Wentao chaired a round table with Belgian enterprises, which was the first FIE round table in 2024. Moving forward, MOFCOM will keep working with line ministries and local governments to make the most of the round table meetings by carefully choosing topics and holding meetings once a month. We will focus our topics in such areas as promoting multilateral and bilateral commercial exchanges, supporting the implementation of major foreign projects, improving the business environment and pushing forward significant regional strategies. We look forward to active participation by FIEs and foreign chambers of commerce in China. Thank you.

International Business Daily: It’s proposed by the Central Economic Work Conference that China would explore new highlights of consumption such as Chinese fashion. We have noted that today MOFCOM, together with relevant ministries, jointly released the third batch of China’s time-honored brands. Could you brief us on the measures taken by MOFCOM to promote the innovative development of time-honored brands and boost Chinese fashion consumption?

He Yadong: The time-honored brands reflect the best of Chinese cultural traditions and heritage. They are closely related to people’s daily lives and indispensable for the Chinese fashion consumption. Recently, MOFCOM and relevant government departments jointly released the third batch of China’s time-honored brands, giving formal recognition to 382 Chinese brands. There are a total of 1455 time-honored brands in China so far.

Yesterday, MOFCOM and Fujian Provincial People’s Government held the launch ceremony of the National Time-Honored Brands Carnival 2024, where an array of products and artistic skills were exhibited. In the next step, MOFCOM will focus on the following four aspects to advance the innovation of Chinese time-honored brands and boost Chinese fashion consumption.

First, arranging both online and on-site events. We will host a number of events for the Time-Honored Brands Carnival throughout the year to provide more immersive consumption scenarios of Chinese fashion for consumers across the nation.

Second, adopting a dynamic management approach. We will use big data technologies to closely follow the business operations of time-honored brands, so as to enhance their daily management.

Third, advancing customized development. We will explore the cultural traditions embodied in different Chinese time-honored brands to design more “must-buy” featured products and enhance their distinctive brand value.

Fourth, promoting fine traditional Chinese culture. We will keep improving the “time-honored digital museum” to demonstrate how time-honored brands have carried forward the Chinese traditions. We will also build venues for visitors to have one-stop experience about these brands and the fine traditional culture behind them. Thank you.

Cover News: It is reported that the Japanese government intends to strengthen export controls against some countries, including Russia and China, to prevent goods, parts and technologies from being used for military purposes. The plan will include restrictive measures similar to those already in place in the United States and Europe. It will also prevent the transfer of related products, parts and components through third parties to countries “with risks of military use”. What’s your comment?

He Yadong: I am not aware of the information you mentioned. I want to stress that China believes that export control must be based on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory principle. No country or region should abuse export control measures to undermine the legitimate rights of other countries and regions to the peaceful use of export control items.

China and Japan are important economic and trading partners for each other. It’s crucial that the two countries implement the important consensus reached by the leaders, make good use of the dialogue mechanism on export control to maintain policy communication, enhance understanding and mutual trust, maintain stable and unimpeded industrial chains and supply chains, and promote the healthy and steady development of the bilateral economic and trade relations. Thank you.

China Economic Herald: Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration of Taxation published the second volume of the Guidance on Export Tax Rebates. Compared with the first volume, what is the highlight of the new volume? What measures will the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration of Taxation take to facilitate export tax rebates?

He Yadong: Export tax rebate is an international practice in line with WTO rules. The Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration of Taxation have jointly carried out publicity and training sessions on export tax rebates, and published the first volume of materials in September last year, which was well-received by the enterprises. On the basis of the feedback and suggestions we received, the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration of Taxation jointly produced the second volume of publicity materials.

Compared with the first volume, this volume not only shares export tax rebate related facilitation measures for foreign trade enterprises, but also focuses on promoting the development of tourism and expanding domestic consumption, and carries out publicity and interpretation of the tax rebate policy for overseas tourists. To help you remember, these materials can be shortened as "9+1+1", that is, 9 export tax rebate promotional videos, one list of typical questions, one multi-language departure tax rebate guidebook. The relevant materials have been published on the official website of the Ministry of Commerce.

In the next step, the Ministry of Commerce will work with the State Administration of Taxation to continue to promote the policies for export tax rebates to bring benefits to foreign trade enterprises and individuals. Thank you.

China Business News: It is reported that European Commission Executive Vice President Dombrovskis said he hoped China’s trade remedy investigation against EU products is based on facts and in line with WTO rules. He said that the EU’s trade remedy investigation against China is based on rules, facts and evidence and is not arbitrary. What is the comment of the Ministry of Commerce?

He Yadong: China’s trade remedy investigation was initiated at the request of domestic industries and in accordance with laws and regulations. China’s investigation authorities conducted the investigation in an open and transparent manner in strict accordance with Chinese laws and regulations and in compliance with WTO rules, fully protected the interests of all stakeholders, and made impartial and fair rulings based on facts and evidence. We hope that all WTO members can abide by WTO rules in their trade remedy investigations and refrain from using trade remedy measures as a tool for trade protection. Thank you.

Shanghai Securities News: Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and eight other departments jointly issued the "Circular on Improving the Recycling System of Waste Household Appliances and Furniture". Could you please introduce the background of this work?

He Yadong: Improving the recycling system of waste household appliances and furniture and other renewable resources can make it easier for trading used household appliances and furniture with new ones, and plays an important role in ensuring unimpeded consumption cycles.

In recent years, China’s home appliance market has expanded significantly. Data show that in 2023, Chinese households owned over three billion main categories of household appliances. Every 100 households had more than 100 air conditioners, refrigerators, and TVS. Some household appliances have been used for a long time, creating great demand for renewal and upgrading.

With the consent of the State Council, the Ministry of Commerce and relevant departments jointly issued the Circular on Improving the Recycling System of Waste Household Appliances and Furniture, which put forward specific tasks in four aspects: improving the recycling network, cultivating recycling entities, innovating recycling modes and standardizing recycling activities.

The Circular put forward the goal to foster a number of demonstration cities and enterprises to set examples for recycling systems such as waste household appliances and furniture, and replicate the best practices. The national recycling of waste household appliances and furniture should increase by more than 15% over 2023, so as to promote green, low-carbon and circular development and meet people’s needs. Thank you.

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