He Yadong: Friends from the press, good afternoon. Welcome to MOFCOM’s regular press conference. I don’t have any announcement to make today.

The floor is open.

CCTV Business: The 137th Canton Fair has recently concluded in Guangzhou. Could you share the major achievements of this session? Additionally, the fair implemented a 50% reduction in booth fees. How did participating enterprises respond to this measure?

He Yadong: The 137th Canton Fair was a great success, with a record number of participating enterprises and overseas buyers. Despite the complex and challenging external environment, this session of the Canton Fair delivered a strong performance against the odds, fully demonstrating the resilience and vitality of China’s foreign trade. Highlights and key achievements include:

1. Acceleration of New Growth Drivers in Foreign Trade: China’s foreign trade is advancing toward higher quality and greater innovation. Technological innovation and green development are driving product quality improvement and upgrades. Over 4.55 million products were exhibited on-site, including 1.02 million new products, 880,000 green and low-carbon products, and 320,000 smart products. The newly established service robot zone broke into mainstream attention and was highly popular among professional buyers, becoming a new calling card of “Intelligent Manufacturing in China” going global.

2. Record Number of Overseas Buyers: As of May 4, more than 280,000 overseas buyers from 219 countries and regions attended the fair, a 17.3% increase compared to the spring session last year. This robust growth, despite global headwinds, reflects strong international confidence in the Canton Fair, Chinese manufacturing, and the Chinese market.

3. Active Trade Negotiations and Steady Growth in Transactions: Intended export deals worth USD 25.44 billion were concluded during the fair, up 3% year-on-year. Transactions with BRI partner countries accounted for over 60% of the total, becoming a key driver of growth. Deals with traditional markets remained stable. After the fair, many buyers continued to engage with enterprises through site visits and factory tours, which are expected to lead to further cooperation.

To implement the plans of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on stabilizing foreign trade, this session of the Canton Fair offered a 50% reduction in booth fees for exporters. This concrete policy support helped enterprises mitigate external risks and challenges. Exhibitors were greatly encouraged, and the initiative received widespread positive feedback from all walks of life. The adjusted booth fee standards have been published, and the refund and settlement of the reduced fees is progressing in an orderly manner to ensure that this support measure benefits every participating enterprise. Thank you.

China Business News: The International Consumption Season 2025 officially was launched on May 1. How will this initiative support the implementation and optimization of the departure tax refund policy?

He Yadong: Thank you for your interest in the International Consumption Season. We launched the International Consumption Season 2025 on May 1, marking a key initiative for the “Shopping in China” campaign in the second quarter. During the May Day holiday, the domestic consumer market was vibrant, and foreign tourist spending in China saw a notable increase. According to data monitored by MOFCOM, sales of key retailers and caterers nationwide rose by 6.3% year-on-year during the holiday. Data from relevant platforms showed that inbound travel sales during the May Day period increased by approximately 90% year on year.

Across the country, following the overall plan for the International Consumption Season, local governments organized diverse, distinctive promotional activities and refined local departure tax refund measures with a focus on. This included making full use of policies such as easing the registration of tax refund stores, lowering the refund threshold from RMB 500 to RMB 200, and increasing the cash refund cap from RMB 10,000 to RMB 20,000. Efforts were made to expand the number of tax refund stores, increase eligible products, and improve service quality, thereby boosting inbound consumption. For example, Shanghai held the 6th “Double Five Shopping Festival,” during which departure tax refund sales increased by 120% year on year. Beijing issued a multilingual “Departure Tax Refund Guide” and an electronic map of refund-eligible stores, leading to a 73% year-on-year increase in sales at key monitored tax refund stores during the holiday. Shenzhen introduced a “one application form, one package” streamlined refund model, significantly reducing the time that tourists spend waiting for refunds.

Going forward, MOFCOM will continue working with relevant departments to promote the “Shopping in China” series of events. These efforts aim to help both domestic consumers and overseas tourists enjoy access to global high-quality goods and premium services—meeting the diversified needs of domestic residents while enriching and facilitating the shopping experience for foreign visitors. Thank you.

Shenzhen Satellite TV: Starting from May 2, the U.S. officially revoked the de minimis tax exemption for low-value parcels from China. Reports suggest that, as a result, some retailers in other countries have adjusted or even suspended their business with the U.S. What is your comment?

He Yadong: Cross-border e-commerce directly meets the personalized needs of consumers worldwide and offers unique advantages such as high efficiency, fast delivery, and lower costs. The recent cancellation by the U.S. of the tax exemption on low-value parcels from China will harm the interests of businesses and consumers in both countries. We firmly oppose this move.

I would like to emphasize that this policy change by the U.S. will not affect the strong growth momentum of cross-border e-commerce. China is willing to work with all countries to strengthen cooperation, foster a fair and predictable policy environment, and promote the healthy and sustainable development of cross-border e-commerce. Thank you.

Kyodo News: Given the ongoing U.S.-initiated tariff war, will China consider accelerating the process of joining the CPTPP?

He Yadong: Since officially applying to join the CPTPP in September 2021, China has conducted thorough analysis and evaluation of the agreement’s provisions. Externally, we have maintained multi-level and multi-channel communication with CPTPP members. Internally, we have carried out pilot programs in eligible pilot free trade zones and free trade ports to fully demonstrate China’s determination, capability, and concrete actions to meet the high standards of the CPTPP.

President Xi Jinping has emphasized on several major diplomatic occasions that China will actively pursue accession to the CPTPP. China is committed to opening ever  wider to the world, no matter how the international situation changes. Moving forward, we will resolutely implement the decisions of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, steadily expand institutional opening-up, align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and actively advance the CPTPP accession process, thus contributing to global trade and economic growth through real actions. Thank you.

South China Morning Post: Vice Premier He Lifeng is going to conduct talks on tariffs with the U.S. in Switzerland. Before deciding to conduct the negotiation, did China propose any conditions including removing some unilateral tariffs imposed on Chinese products? Did the U.S. agree to these conditions?

He Yadong: The Chinese side has remained consistent in its position on opposing U.S. abuse of tariffs. If the U.S. side wants to resolve issues through negotiations, it must face up to the serious negative impacts of unilateral tariff measures on itself and the world, and respect international economic and trade rules, fairness and justice, and the rational voices of all parties. It must show sincerity in talks, correct its wrong practices, and strive in the same direction as China to resolve the concerns of both sides through equal-footed consultation. If the U.S. side says one thing but does another, or even attempts to use dialogue as a pretext for continued coercion and extortion, the Chinese side will never yield. China will not sacrifice its principles and positions, or international fairness and justice to seek any agreement. Thank you.

Reuters: I have two questions. First, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit Switzerland, where he will hold talks with the U.S. What expectations does the Chinese side have for this? Could you disclose the meeting agenda? Will the “Phase Two” trade agreement between China and the U.S. be proposed during the talks? Will China commit to purchasing more American goods? Second, Vice Premier He Lifeng will go to France for economic and trade talks. 99% of imported brandy comes from France, while China is still considering imposing import tariffs. What are China’s expectations for the talks?

He Yadong: Regarding your first question, China has repeatedly emphasized that if the U.S. wants to talk, China’s door is open. Any dialogue or negotiation must be conducted based on mutual respect, equal consultation, and mutual benefit. China will firmly safeguard its developmental interests and uphold its stance and goals of defending international fairness and justice and protecting the international economic and trade order.

As for your second question, at the request of domestic industries, the Ministry of Commerce initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imported brandy originating from the EU on January 5, 2024. Given the complexity of this case, the investigation has been extended until July 5, 2025. Currently, the investigating authority is reviewing price undertaking applications submitted by EU exporters and comments received from all parties after the preliminary determination. The final decision will be made based on the facts of the case and in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, we maintain an open attitude towards resolving economic and trade differences through dialogue and consultation.