The Ministry of Commerce responds to economic and trade hotspots such as talks with French companies in China and reciprocal tax reductions between China and the United States

Beijing, September 10 (Xinhua) -- At a regular press conference held by the Ministry of Commerce on the 10th, Huang Ling, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, responded to questions about recent meetings with several French companies in China. She stated that there are public reports showing that some French companies have received subsidies from the European Union and member states, which may to some extent be transmitted to entities in China. In order to assess their impact, the Ministry of Commerce has lawfully inquired about the relevant situation from them and asked them to provide explanations.

At the press conference, Huang Ling also responded to questions about France's "anti ultra fast fashion" law. She stated that the French "anti ultra fast fashion" law and its implementation regulations, under the guise of "environmental protection" and "sustainability", actually set clear directional standards and parameters to discriminate and suppress Chinese cross-border e-commerce enterprises, which will seriously distort fair competition. The actual practices of the French side have exceeded the scope of environmental protection and have obvious trade protectionism. China has repeatedly expressed its solemn concerns to France regarding this matter.

I would like to emphasize once again that China has always opposed the abuse of economic and trade restrictions, and urges France to immediately stop using the 'anti super fast fashion' law to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, and to properly handle economic and trade disputes through equal dialogue. China will closely monitor the follow-up progress and resolutely take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, "said Huang Ling.

Regarding the progress of the framework arrangement for the 30 billion US dollar equivalent tax reduction between China and the United States, Huang Ling introduced that the economic and trade teams of both sides are earnestly implementing the consensus reached at the Beijing meeting between the two heads of state, and are currently negotiating on the 30 billion US dollar equivalent tax reduction framework arrangement, striving to implement it as soon as possible.