He Yongqian: Friends from the press, good afternoon. Welcome to the regular press conference of the Ministry of Commerce. Today I don’t have announcements to make.

The floor is open.

Yicai: Could you please introduce the ongoing 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing? And what are the measures that MOFCOM will take to implement China-Africa economic and trade cooperation?

He Yongqian: This morning, President Xi Jinping delivered an important keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, announcing the new characterization of China-Africa relations and ten partnership actions for joining hands to advance modernization for China and Africa, charting the course for China-Africa Cooperation. The ten partnership actions are the guideline of China-Africa practical cooperation at present and in the future. MOFCOM will fully implement outcomes of the Summit and the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s important speech, promote China-Africa trade institutional arrangements, deepen China-Africa cooperation on industrial chains and supply chains, build up such new growth drivers as digital economy and green development, and promote transition and upgrading of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, in a bid to make contribution to advancing modernization for China and Africa jointly and inject new impetus into building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Thank you.

China Daily: We noticed that recently MOFCOM has ruled that there is dumping of imported brandy originating in the European Union, the domestic related brandy industry is threatened with material damage, and there is a causal relationship between dumping and the threat of material damage, with no provisional anti-dumping measures taken in this case for now. Could the MOFCOM introduce the case in detail and the follow-up arrangements?

He Yongqian: Following a request from the China Alcoholic Drinks Association, MOFCOM announced an anti-dumping investigation into imported brandy originating in the EU. MOFCOM’s investigation has complied with the rules of the World Trade Organization and domestic laws and regulations, fully safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of all stakeholders and listening to a wide variety of views. An affirmative ruling was made after preliminary investigation and the preliminary ruling announcement was issued on August 29. The investigation authority determined not to impose provisional anti-dumping measures. Later on, the investigation authority will continue follow-up investigations including such measures as on-site verification and make a fair and objective definitive determination in accordance with law. Thank you.

Shenzhen Satellite TV: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) delayed again the announcement of its determinations for Section 301 tariffs on Chinese products. What’s China’s response to this? Will China and the U.S. engage with each other in terms of this issue?

He Yongqian: We have noticed relevant announcements. China has lodged solemn representations to the US side on Section 301 tariffs for many times. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has long ruled that the U.S. Section 301 tariffs violate WTO rules, and it is even more wrong for the U.S. to increase tariffs on China. The Office of the USTR previously sought public comments regarding its tariffs review results, and most opinions were against imposing tariffs or applying for an expansion of tariff exemption, which demonstrates that the practice of the U.S. is not well-received. We urge the U.S. to correct its mistakes, actively respond to public calls, and remove all the tariffs on China. Thank you.

International Business Daily: We have noticed that the General Office of MOFCOM recently issued the Notice of the Construction of Commercial Technology Application and Innovation Centers (the Notice), which instructs localities to build innovation centers. Can you brief us on that?

He Yongqian: In recent years, modern information technologies including AI and Big Data have been accelerating and improving their commercial applications, with new models and forms emerging, which provides a solid foundation for the high quality development of commerce.

Recently, MOFCOM has issued the Notice, which plans for the building of commercial technology application and innovation Centers. Localities will be encouraged to leverage their leading enterprises and research institutes with strong research strength and innovation advantages in relevant areas to pursue smart, digital and green innovation, aggregate resources for commercial technology innovation, build innovation centers, advance commercial applications of technology achievements, so as to promote the growth of new quality productive forces.

In the next step, MOFCOM will organize training to guide localities to make applications based on competitive edges of their local industries, strengthen tracking and guiding of innovation center building, and create more carriers for the industrialization of commercial innovation outcomes. Thank you.

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