He Yadong: Friends from the press, good afternoon. Welcome to the regular press conference of the Ministry of Commerce. I have no briefing to make today. Now I would like to take your questions.

Shanghai Securities News: Macao will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland on December 20. What policy benefits will the amendment to the CEPA Agreement on Trade in Services bring to Macao? What practical measures does the Ministry of Commerce plan to take?

He Yadong: In the 25 years since Macao’s return to the motherland, economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between the mainland and Macao have continuously deepened, reaching higher levels and extending into more areas.

We have established and improved cooperative mechanisms with the Macao Special Administrative Region government in the field of economy and trade. By signing the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and its series of agreements, the mainland has fully achieved liberalization of goods trade with Macao and basically realized liberalization of trade in services. According to statistics, in 2023, the trade volume between the mainland and Macao totaled 3.84 billion U.S. dollars, a 4.3-fold increase over the volumes recorded before its return to the motherland. As of October 2024, the mainland had cumulatively absorbed direct investment from Macao totaling 23.93 billion U.S. dollars, while the mainland’s direct investment in Macao amounted to 14.19 billion U.S. dollars. 

On October 10, the mainland and Macao jointly signed the second agreement on amendment to the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement on Trade in Services. This amendment further reduces or eliminates entry barriers for Macao service providers in key development areas of Macao such as healthcare, finance, science and technology innovation, and tourism. Certain liberalization measures will be implemented first in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to further align rules and systems in the Greater Bay Area.

In the 25 years since Macao’s return to the motherland, the practice of “one country, two systems” has achieved globally recognized success. The Ministry of Commerce will actively strengthen the Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation between Mainland and Macao, supporting Macao’s economic development, improving local living standards, and promoting its integration into the country’s overall development plan. Thank you.

Phoenix TV: The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on an annual defense bill that includes over 3 billion U.S. dollars for U.S. telecom companies to remove equipment made by Huawei and ZTE from American wireless networks to address security risks. What is the Ministry of Commerce’s comment on this?

He Yadong: We have noted the relevant media reports. The U.S. side claims that Chinese information and telecommunications products pose a security risk, which is entirely groundless. China firmly opposes the U.S. generalizing the concept of national security, violating market economy principles and fair competition, and disrupting normal economic and trade cooperation between Chinese and American businesses. We hope that the U.S. respects the facts and stops politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues. China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses. Thank you.

Economic Herald: We noticed that this year witnesses the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of many state-level economic and technological development zones (such as Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area, TEDA). What measures will the Ministry of Commerce take to support the development of state-level economic and technological development zones?

He Yadong: Building state-level economic and technological development zones is an important measure for China to advance reform and opening up. 2024 marks the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of China’s first group of state-level economic and technological development zones. General Secretary Xi Jinping has given important instructions, fully demonstrating the high regard of the CPC Central Committee for the work of state-level economic and technological development zones. The Ministry of Commerce stands ready to work together with relevant departments and localities to study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions and promote the high-quality development of state-level economic and technological development zones from the following four aspects.

Firstly, create testing grounds for institutional and systemic innovation reforms. We will expedite the introduction of policies for high-quality development in state-level economic and technological development zones, support the zones in deepening reforms, build new advantages in management systems, and comprehensively stimulate intrinsic momentum and innovative vitality.

Secondly, encourage development zones as pioneers in advancing high-standard opening up. We will support state-level economic and technological development zones in conducting high-level investment attraction work, continue to host signature activities of “Invest in China” such as dialogues with Fortune 500 companies and industry transfer matchmaking meetings. We also support active participation in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, expanding international cooperation.

Thirdly, construct demonstration zones for developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions. We will accelerate the cultivation of strategic emerging industry clusters and world-class advanced manufacturing clusters, promote high-end, green, and digital development, and support the planing of digital industries and future industries.

Fourthly, promote development zones as vanguards of regional opening up and coordinated development. We will further encourage pairing assistance and joint construction among state-level economic and technological development zones, promote cooperation along the upstream and downstream of industrial chains and supply chains, facilitate the orderly transfer and reception of industries, and strengthen the eastern regions’ support for the western regions and the southern regions’ support for the northern regions, providing strong impetus for regional coordinated development and new-type urbanization. Thank you.

RT Beijing Bureau Reporter: It is reported that Chinese manufacturers have recently started to restrict the sale of key components used in the manufacture of unmanned aerial vehicles to the United States and Europe. These sources refused to disclose their identities due to the sensitivity of the information. What is the comment of the Ministry of Commerce on this?

He Yadong: The Chinese government has always strictly managed the export of all dual-use items, including drones, in accordance with laws and regulations, and has issued multiple announcements. Regarding the control scope and technical standards for drones and related components, one can refer to the the Dual-use Items Export Control List of the People’s Republic of China, which came into effect on December 1.

It should be emphasized that the Chinese government adheres to the philosophy of balancing development and security. It supports Chinese enterprises in conducting international trade and cooperation in civilian drones while firmly opposing the misuse of civilian drones for non-peaceful purposes. This approach not only helps fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation but also ensures the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains. Thank you.

Reuters: I have two questions. Donald Trump has announced that Howard Lutnick is the nominee for commerce secretary with direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Have the trade teams from China and the U.S. already contacted? Have the U.S. said anything new about Trump’s plan of adding 10% tariff on goods from China? About my second question, the Australian Prime Minister announced that Chinese Premier Li Qiang and he agreed on a timetable to resume full lobster trade during their meeting at the Asian summit in Laos. When will China lift the import ban on Australian lobster? Can Chinese families have Australian lobster on New Year’s Eve?

He Yadong: Regarding your first question, the Chinese side has maintained close communication with the U.S. Department of Commerce through the communication and exchange mechanism between Chinese and U.S. commerce ministries. We also hold an open attitude toward engaging with the new U.S. government's economic and trade team.

China's position against unilateral tariff hikes is consistent. China is willing to enhance dialogue and coordination with the U.S. based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, properly manage differences, and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Regarding your second question, the competent authorities of China and Australia have recently been conducting technical communications to resolve inspection and quarantine issues concerning Australian lobster exports to China. We hope that both sides will continue to adhere to mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation and appropriately address respective economic and trade concerns. Thank you.