He Yadong: Friends from the press, good afternoon. Welcome to the regular press conference of the Ministry of Commerce. Today, I am very pleased to introduce to you my colleague, the new Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, Ms. He Yongqian.

Ms. He Yongqian is the Deputy Director General for the Coordination of Pilot Free Trade Zones and Port, and the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce. Much of her career was devoted to opening-up and regional development, and she has rich commerce work experience and good communication skills. I believe that she will soon get to know you and work with you well. I also believe that friends from the press will support her work as you have supported me and my previous spokespersons.

Now I would like to invite DDG He to preside over today's press conference.

He Yongqian: Friends from the press, good afternoon. It is my great pleasure and honor to meet you on this rostrum. As the new spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, I will try my best to learn from previous spokesmen and colleagues, communicate sincerely and cooperate well with friends from the press, answer every question carefully, and continue to air the voices of MOFCOM. I also hope to gain understanding and support from friends from the press. Thank you very much.

I have no information to share with you today, and I am ready to take your questions.

The floor is open.

The Paper: We have noted that the Ministry of Commerce issued a notice on July 10 to launch an investigation into trade and investment barriers related to the EU's Foreign Subsidies Regulation. Could you brief us on that?

He Yongqian: At the request of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Mechanical and Electrical Products, the Ministry of Commerce, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Foreign Trade Law and the Rules on the Investigation of Foreign Trade Barriers, has decided to launch an investigation into the trade and investment barriers erected under the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation from July 10, 2024. The investigation will be concluded by January 10, 2025, and may be extended to April 10, 2025 under special circumstances.

In the next step, the Ministry of Commerce will proceed with the investigation through questionnaires and field investigations in accordance with the law, and widely solicit opinions to ensure that the investigation is fair, impartial, open and transparent. The conclusions will be released in due course. Thank you

National Business Daily: We have learned that the ninth WTO Trade Policy Review on China will be held in Geneva, Switzerland. Could you brief us on that and what is China's expectation for the review?

He Yongqian: The trade policy review is a core function of the WTO to enhance transparency of members' trade policies and maintain the smooth operation of the multilateral trading system. It is also an important platform for WTO members to enhance mutual understanding, conduct candid exchanges and eliminate misunderstandings. From July 17 to 19, the WTO will conduct its ninth Trade Policy Review of China, during which WTO members will collectively review China's economic and trade policies since October 2021. China will attend the meeting to share its practices in promoting Chinese-style modernization with full determination and advancing high-quality development through high-level opening-up, and respond to members' concerns about China's economic and trade policies.

Since its accession to the WTO, China has attached great importance to the TPR. Each time, China prepared for and responded earnestly to all the reviews, and firmly upheld the WTO-centered multilateral trading system with concrete actions. China's economic development achievements and economic and trade policies have been widely recognized by WTO members.

At present, China is providing written replies to members' questions in accordance with the rules of the review procedure. To facilitate friendly exchanges, China will hold a special seminar before the review and invite experts and business representatives to introduce China's economic policies and local opening-up practices. It will be a good opportunity to help WTO members understand China, and show the image of China as a responsible major country that strictly complies with rules and earnestly fulfills its commitments. Thank you.

CGTN: Recently, foreign media outlets reported that the EU’s report on its anti-subsidy investigation into EV imports from China established the fact that Chinese auto makers received subsidies from the Chinese government, which resulted in unfair price advantages against European auto makers. Madame Spokesperson, what’s your comment?

He Yongqian: Currently, China and the EU are consulting over the anti-subsidy probe into EVs. Facts and rules are the two pillars of consultations. Here, facts refer to objective facts recognized by both sides rather than unilaterally determined so-called “facts”. We hope the EU will face the fact that the competitive advantages of Chinese EVs do not come from subsidies, the fact that China-EU industrial cooperation in the auto sector is beneficial for shared development, and the fact that the Union industry opposes trade protectionist measures. We hope the EU will make reasonable, objective decisions that are truly based on facts and rules. Thank you.

21th Century Business Herald: Recently, some regions have entered the flood season. For example, regions including Hunan have been hit by floods. Could you please brief us on the supply of daily necessities to these regions?

He Yongqian: MOFCOM has attached great importance to and spared no efforts in supplying daily necessities to regions hit by torrential rains and floods. Since the beginning of the flood season, following the working requirement on ensuring both everyday and emergency supply, MOFCOM has activated its emergency response mechanism, kept a close eye on the impact of floods in Hunan, Shandong, Henan and other provinces, and guided key regions in strengthening organization and dispatch to ensure that people’s basic living needs are met in the disaster-hit regions.

After disasters occurred, MOFCOM initiated its emergency response mechanism immediately. It has been monitoring the dispatch of supplies to key regions on a daily basis and strengthening communication and coordination with related government departments to get timely updates on floods and disasters.

In terms of supply and demand monitoring and early warning, MOFCOM has been closely following the supply and demand in regions hit by disasters. It has strengthened quantity and prices monitoring and launched a system to ensure no market abnormality will occur in key regions with a focus on daily necessities such as grains, oils, meat, eggs, milk, fruit, vegetables, instant food and bottled water.

In terms of supplies reserves and distribution, major suppliers in key regions have sufficient stocks and are prepared for emergency distribution. You mentioned Hunan in your question. We have arranged for nearly 700 key suppliers in Hunan Province and its neighboring provinces to build up stocks and strengthen preparedness. In particular, their stocks of daily necessities are 10% to 30% higher than their day-to-day average. To date, key suppliers in Hunan Province have already sent over 6,500 and 8,000 tons of daily necessities to disaster-hit areas in Huarong County and Pingjiang County, respectively.

Going forward, MOFCOM will continue to follow the impact of rains and floods in different regions, keep a close eye on the functioning of the market in key regions, do what we can to support disaster-hit regions in addressing the difficulties in supplying daily necessities, and launch the cross-provincial supply guarantee mechanism when necessary to ensure that people’s basic living needs are met in disaster-hit regions. Thank you.

Reuters: On June 18 China will hold a hearing for its anti-dumping investigation into EU Brandy. Will the Brandy producers be informed of the intention to impose tariffs on their products at the hearing? Is MOFCOM going to announce the findings of the investigation before the end of August?

He Yongqian: At the request of the domestic Brandy industry, MOFCOM initiated an anti-dumping investigation into Brandy originating in the EU on January 5 this year. The investigation is still ongoing in accordance with the law. According to Chinese domestic laws, the investigating authority may hold hearings to understand the situation from stakeholders for the purpose of the investigation. The hearing you mentioned is to be held at the request of EU companies and relevant business associations, as an opportunity for stakeholders to state their opinions and present evidence. In accordance with the Anti-Dumping Regulations of China, the investigating authority has the right to make a preliminary decision sixty days after the launch of the investigation. MOFCOM will go deeper with the investigation on the basis of protecting the rights of all parties in accordance with the law, and make its decision based on the findings in accordance with laws and regulations. Thank you.

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