Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao: Promote balanced development of imports and exports, increase efforts to expand imports
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a press conference at 10 am on October 24th to introduce and interpret the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
Everyone can feel:
Firstly, openness is an important tool for promoting reform and development. In recent years, our reform and opening-up have mutually promoted each other, continuously reducing the "on border" and "behind border" barriers that restrict the flow of factors, and steadily expanding institutional opening-up. Our goods trade has been ranked first in the world for 8 consecutive years, service trade has exceeded 1 trillion US dollars, foreign investment has achieved the "14th Five Year Plan" goal six months ahead of schedule, and foreign investment has remained among the top three in the world. High level opening up has become a strong driving force for China's economic development.
Secondly, openness is a broad path for developing oneself and benefiting the world. By 2024, China will be a major trading partner for over 150 countries and regions. The import of goods and services during the 14th Five Year Plan period will exceed 15 trillion US dollars, and foreign investment will accumulate over 300 billion US dollars in taxes for the host country, driving a large number of jobs and promoting local industrialization and modernization. High level opening up has become a great cause that is good for China and the world.
Thirdly, openness is a firm choice to grasp the trend and move forward through the waves. Currently, despite the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, economic globalization is a historical trend. China is firmly committed to expanding opening up, promoting the "better and better" China International Import Expo, conducting open trials in the pilot free trade zone, and declaring that as a responsible developing country, China will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations of the World Trade Organization, but will promote common opening through its own opening up, injecting certainty and positive energy into the world.
Wang Wentao pointed out that regarding the opening up work during the 15th Five Year Plan period, the "Proposal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Formulating the 15th Five Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development" has made important arrangements in four aspects.
One is to actively expand independent opening up. Our openness takes into account both China's needs and the world's expectations, actively aligning with international high standard economic and trade rules, focusing on the service industry, and expanding market access and open areas. Around expanding the economic and trade "circle of friends", accelerating the process of regional and bilateral trade and investment agreements, and expanding the network of high standard free trade zones. Focus on building an open highland and carry out various open pilot experiments.
The second is to promote innovative development in trade. The "Proposal" has deployed the three pillars of a strong trading nation, namely goods trade, service trade, and digital trade. In terms of goods trade, expand intermediate goods trade, green trade, promote market diversification and integration of domestic and foreign trade; In terms of service trade, improve the management system of negative list for cross-border service trade; In terms of digital trade, we will orderly expand the opening up of the digital field. At the same time, we need to promote balanced development of imports and exports, increase efforts to expand imports, which not only meets the needs of industrial transformation and upgrading, but also meets the needs of people for a better life.
The third is to expand the space for two-way investment cooperation. We need to enhance the brand of "investing in China", shape new advantages in attracting foreign investment, implement the principle of "access and operation", and create a transparent, stable, and predictable institutional environment. Effectively implement foreign investment management, improve the comprehensive overseas service system, and guide the rational and orderly cross-border layout of the production and supply chain. We look at both GDP and GNI, and value both the "Chinese economy" and the "Chinese people's economy".
Fourth, jointly build the "the Belt and Road" with high quality. The "the Belt and Road" is not a "monologue", but a "chorus". We need to strengthen the strategic alignment with the joint construction of the country, and coordinate the promotion of major landmark projects and "small but beautiful" livelihood projects; Deepen practical cooperation in trade, investment, industry, and humanities, and expand cooperation in areas such as green, digital, and artificial intelligence.
We will promote the implementation of various decisions and arrangements of the Proposal, constantly improve the level of opening up, and expand the development space of Chinese path to modernization.