Gao Feng: Dear friends from the press, good afternoon. Welcome to the MOFCOM regular press conference. I have no announcement to make today and am ready to take your questions. The floor is open.

CGTN: China and the US had vice-ministerial level negotiations lately, how is the result of the negotiations? Next month, principal-level meetings between China and the US are expected to be held, I wonder how is the preparation going? What are China’s expectations and goals for the new round of negotiations?

Gao Feng: On September 19 and 20, vice-ministerial level negotiators from China and the United States met in Washington, D.C. and had productive discussions on economic and trade issues of common concern. Both sides have also discussed on the specific arrangement for the 13th round of China-US high-level trade consultations to be held in Washington, D.C. in October. Currently, both sides are maintaining close communication in preparation for headway of the high-level consultations. Thank you.

Phoenix TV: We noticed that after the vice-ministerial level negotiations concluded last week, the US president Trump said that he was looking for a complete deal and there is no rush to reach deal with China before the election. What is your comment on that?

Gao Feng: The Chinese side has taken note of the relevant views of the US side. China’s stance on consultations has always been consistent and clear, hoping the US side will meet China half way and find win-win solutions through dialogue and consultations on an equal footing with mutual respect, which is beneficial to China, the US and the whole world. Thank you.

Reuters: According to a business survey done by the US-China Business Council (USCBC), many companies of its 220 members have seen sales shrinking in China as more and more Chinese customers recognize US companies as unreliable business partners. I’d like to ask if US firms will make the "Unreliable Entities List" to be released by China? China has demonstrated plenty goodwill amidst the trade dispute, would China consider not putting US firms on the list? When will the list get released?

Gao Feng: Firstly, the business information from the USCBC shows that again there is no winner in the trade war. The enterprises and consumers from the US will suffer a great loss.

The proposal that China makes with the "Unreliable Entities List" is to maintain fair market order. It doesn’t aim at enterprises, organizations and individuals. We welcome enterprises all over the world, including from the US to invest and operate in China. China will firmly protect its legal interests in accordance with the law. Currently, the "Unreliable Entities List" regime is going through domestic procedures. Thank you.

CNBC: Can you verify the specific date of next round of negotiations in October? Reportedly China is considering buying more US pork and soybeans, can you verify this information? Last week, the US granted tariff exemption to a list of Chinese products, what is China’s reaction to that move?

Gao Feng: For your first question, both sides are maintaining close communication for the detailed agenda of the 13th round of China-U.S. high-level trade consultations. I will get back to you soon with further update.

As for the second question, as far as we know, recently the Chinese enterprises did enquiry and procurement of American farm goods following the market principle and WTO rules and have purchased a considerable amount of US soybeans and pork. The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council will exempt tariffs on those orders. With a great demand for quality agricultural produce, China is highly complementary to the US in the agricultural area and we have a broad space for cooperation. We hope both sides can work together and take the actual actions to create positive conditions for cooperation.

Regarding your third question, we noticed that the US issued the 9th batch of Chinese goods exempted from the tariffs on September 17. This is welcome. It is good for US firms and consumers, Chinese firms and creating conditions for the consultations.

China News Service: We noticed that a new round of China-EU Investment Agreement negotiations was held in Beijing lately, could MOFCOM release some details on the fruits of the negotiation? Could both sides conclude the negotiations by 2020 set by leaders from both sides?

Gao Feng: On September 24, the 23th round of China-EU Investment Agreement negotiations was concluded in Beijing, where both sides focused on the text of the agreement and discussed the exchange of revised offers.

At the China-EU Summit in April 2019, both sides agree to make a decisive progress in the negotiations by the end of 2019 in order to pave the way for the conclusion of an ambitious agreement by 2020. To this end, both parties have invested more and increased the frequencies of negotiations—starting from this years, four rounds of official negotiations have been conducted and multiple technical discussions held through intercessional and video conferences. Under the efforts of both sides, the negotiations have maintained positive momentum and yielded positive progress. Thank you.

China-Arab TV: The 2nd CIIE is scheduled to open in Shanghai on November 5th. What are the latest developments? How many countries have confirmed participation?

Gao Feng: Preparation for the 2nd CIIE is well underway.

The national exhibition covers an area of 30,000 ㎡. Over 60 countries have confirmed participation. France, Italy, and dozens other countries have confirmed to be the guest countries of honor. International organizations like the WTO, UNIDO, and ITC have confirmed participation. The 2nd CIIE will continue to set up a Chinese pavilion to showcase China’s achievements in socio-economic development in the past seven decades and new opportunities in the new era.

As for business exhibition, recruitment of exhibitors has been completed. The business exhibition, covering an area of over 300,000 ㎡, consists of seven sections: service trade, automobile, equipment, technological life, quality life, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, food and agricultural produce. Over 3,000 companies from more than 150 countries and regions are participating. New elements include elderly care, outdoor exhibition area, and autonomous driving area; more Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders have signed up compared with the first CIIE. More new products and new technologies will make their debut. In fact, business invitation for the 3rd CIIE has already started. Overseas companies are welcome to register for participation via the official website or overseas exhibition organizers.

As for invitation of buyers, the 2nd CIIE has put together 39 trading groups and near 600 sub-groups. More professional visitors have registered than expected. We have sorted out over 50,000 major importers to send targeted invitation. 20 roadshows have been held for face-to-face promotion with over 4,300 buyers. Business matching events for thousands of exhibitors and buyers were held for all seven sections ahead of the expo; the supplementary events are advancing smoothly, with over 200 intended events; invitation of overseas buyers has been effective; the registration process for professional visitors continue to be improved.

As for the forum, this Hongqiao International Economic Forum, themed as “openness and innovation for win-win cooperation”, consists of four thematic sessions: opening-up, regulation and business environment; artificial intelligence and innovation development; WTO reform and free trade agreements; e-commerce in the digital era. Each thematic session will contain keynote speeches and panel discussions.

Regarding services and logistics, the CIIE will cater to the needs of exhibitors and businessmen, improve and clarify signs, organize charity performances, promote intangible cultural heritage and time-honored brands, improve on-site translation services and catering, improve the design of information stations and help desks, provide professional, convenient, efficient, green services. Thank you.

CNR: My question is about pork supply for the national day holiday. Will more pork be released from the reserve?

Gao Feng: To ensure supply for the national day holiday, MOFCOM, in collaboration with NDRC and the Ministry of Finance, will ask related enterprises to release 10,000 tons of pork from the central reserve, covering a variety of pork product, to increase market supply for the holiday.

On the eve of the national day holiday, while ensuring market functioning, the central and local governments will increase meat supply by matching producers with sellers and increasing release from reserves. Meat supply is abundant in general and stable in price. From September, we have released meat from the central reserves in three batches, with a total of 20,000 tons of pork, 2,400 tons of beef, and 1,900 tons of mutton. According to our knowledge, some regions have started to release meat from local reserves. The overall market supply is well-guaranteed.

Going forward, MOFCOM will keep a close eye on the dynamics of market supply and prices. We will work with related authorities to release pork from the central and local reserves to ensure meat supply for domestic market. Thank you.

Bloomberg: In his address to the UNGA, President Trump railed against China’s economic model, accusing it of IP and trade secrets theft. Is that against what you regard as the foundation of negotiations, fairness and mutual trust? Second, will China put off the high-level visit to the US? Will China send a high-level delegation for consultation?

Gao Feng: As for the first question, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made a clear response.

China maintains a consistent and clear position on consultations. We hope to meet the US halfway, find a win-win solution through equal-footed dialogue and consultations with mutual respect. This is good for China, for the US and the whole world. Thank you.

Radio Television Hong Kong: You mentioned the Chinese companies have started price inquiry and purchase of US agricultural produce. Deals have been made on a considerable amount of soybean and pork. What is the specific number? Are there plans to purchase agro-products under other categories?

Gao Feng: I’ve just answered this question. We will keep you updated. Thank you.

Gao Feng: Any more questions?
The National Day is approaching. On behalf of MOFCOM, I wish you all the best during the holiday.
This is the end of the press conference. Thank you.