Minister Wang Wentao's "Seeking Truth" article: Unwavering in expanding high-level opening-up to the outside world
The first issue of Qiushi magazine in 2026 published an article signed by Wang Wentao, Secretary of the Party Group and Minister of the Ministry of Commerce, titled "Unswervingly Expanding High Level Opening Up to the Outside World". The full text is as follows:
Resolutely expand high-level opening-up to the outside world
Wang Wentao
The fifth volume of "Xi Jinping Talks on Governance and Management of the Country" places "expanding high-level opening up to the outside world" in a prominent position, reflecting General Secretary Xi Jinping's new theoretical summary and strategic guidance on promoting deep level reform and high-quality development through high-level opening up based on new practices. It is an important component of Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
1、 Deeply understand the rich connotation of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important discourse on opening up to the outside world
General Secretary Xi Jinping's important discourse on opening up to the outside world is rooted in great practice, coordinates internal and external situations, and is a shining example of adhering to the "two combinations". We need to deeply understand and grasp the theoretical foundation, cultural inheritance, practical basis, and situational insight of these important discourses, and continuously enhance our consciousness and determination to expand high-level opening-up to the outside world.
Derived from the profound foundation of Marxist basic theory. Marx and Engels brilliantly discussed the enormous impact of the world market and international division of labor on human society in works such as "The German Ideology" and "The Communist Manifesto". General Secretary Xi Jinping's important discourse on opening up to the outside world, scientifically applying the Marxist stance, viewpoints, and methods, combined with the specific realities of contemporary China, clearly states that "opening up is an important driving force for human civilization progress and a necessary path for world prosperity and development. General Secretary Xi Jinping's important statements on promoting the construction of an open world economy, maintaining the multilateral trading system, and promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation all reflect the inheritance and development of Marxist world market theory and world history view, and are innovative applications of Marxist political economy under new historical conditions.
Inherited from the wisdom and nourishment of excellent traditional Chinese culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "Chinese civilization has been renowned for its openness and inclusiveness since ancient times. The Silk Road, which has lasted for thousands of years, is not only a road of trade and commerce, but also a road of cultural exchange and mutual learning. It vividly embodies the political ideals of the Chinese nation of "harmony among all nations" and "great harmony in the world", the broad mindedness of "embracing all rivers with tolerance", and the wisdom of communication of "harmony in diversity" and "mutual benefit and win-win". General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly quoted timeless stories such as Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions and Zheng He's voyages to the West, which demonstrate the spirit of the Chinese nation's friendly exchanges, openness, and enterprising spirit with foreign countries. General Secretary Xi Jinping's important discourse is rooted in the fertile soil of China's excellent traditional culture and endowed with new era connotations. The high-quality co construction of the Belt and Road Initiative is a major achievement in the creative transformation and innovative development of China's excellent traditional culture.
Accumulated experience in local governance practice. Whether in inland or coastal areas, General Secretary Xi Jinping has always attached great importance to open development. In Zhengding, it is emphasized that "commodity economy is an open economy", and invitations are sent to experts from various fields such as Hua Luogeng to recruit talents nationwide. In Fujian, the integration of "openness and poverty alleviation" was proposed, actively promoting economic and trade cooperation between Fujian and Taiwan, and the publication of "Basic National Policy: From Self reliance to Opening Up to the Outside World - Also on Deng Xiaoping's Significant Development of Mao Zedong's Independent and Self reliant Thought". In Zhejiang, efforts are being made to build an "open and strong province", proposing the "88 Strategy", emphasizing further leveraging Zhejiang's geographical advantages and continuously improving its level of opening up to the outside world. In Shanghai, we focus on building an international economic, financial, trade, and shipping center, committed to enhancing the city's internationalization level and resource allocation capabilities. These rich experiences in local governance have laid a solid foundation for the formation of a comprehensive and open concept, emphasizing that "China's opening up to the outside world is all-round and comprehensive, and is accelerating the formation of a new pattern of comprehensive opening up", "adhering to the principle of using reform and opening up to increase power and vitality, giving full play to the advantages of coastal and border areas, creating diverse forms of open highlands, and forming a comprehensive opening pattern of land sea domestic and foreign linkage and east-west mutual assistance".
Based on profound insights into the development trends both domestically and internationally. From an international perspective, the unprecedented global changes are accelerating, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise, economic globalization facing setbacks, and the global governance system undergoing profound changes. From a domestic perspective, China's economy is shifting towards a stage of high-quality development, requiring a higher level of openness to attract high-quality global resources. General Secretary Xi Jinping, with a broad global and historical perspective, profoundly pointed out that "China's door to openness will only open wider and never close" and "we propose to build a new development pattern with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations mutually promoting each other. This is by no means a closed domestic circulation, but a more open domestic and international circulations". This series of major judgments and strategic choices are based on profound insights into the changes in the world, the times, and history, demonstrating the strategic wisdom and historical initiative that leads the times.
2、 Leading the Open Industry to Show a New Atmosphere
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially General Secretary Xi Jinping's important discourse on opening up to the outside world, China's opening-up cause has achieved historic achievements and undergone historic changes.
Taking an open path that combines national conditions with adapting to the overall trend, the open economy has reached a new level. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "China will adhere to the basic national policy of opening up to the outside world" and "modernization cannot be achieved without opening up, and opening up achieves modernization". The measures taken by China to expand its opening-up are independent choices made based on the objective needs of China's reform and development. It actively opens up to the outside world without losing its independence, actively integrates into the world without losing itself, and has formed a path of opening-up that is in line with its own reality through continuous exploration. Expand independent and unilateral opening up, implement zero tariffs on 100% of taxable products from all least developed countries that have established diplomatic relations, and provide unilateral or comprehensive visa free access to over 70 countries. Signed the Framework Agreement for Common Development Economic Partnership with over 30 African countries. The total volume of goods trade has been the world's largest for 8 consecutive years, with exports accounting for over 14% of the world's total, and imports accounting for 10.4% of the world's total by 2024, up from 9.7% in 2012. In 2024, the total amount of service trade exceeded 1 trillion US dollars, setting a new historical high and ranking second in the world. The status of a major country in two-way investment is increasingly consolidated, with accumulated actual use of foreign capital exceeding 3 trillion US dollars. The proportion of actual use of foreign capital in high-tech industries has increased from 12.8% in 2012 to 34.6% in 2024; The flow of outward direct investment has ranked among the top three in the world for 13 consecutive years. In the first three quarters of 2025, the number of newly established foreign-funded enterprises increased by 16.2%, and non-financial outward direct investment increased by 4.8%.
Taking a path of opening up that combines internal reform with external opening up, institutional opening up has made new breakthroughs. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that "promoting reform and development through opening up is an important tool for China's modernization construction to continuously achieve new achievements" and "adhering to the unity of reform and opening up". We will not only expand the door of opening up, but also stabilize the path of reform. Expand the scope of opening up, eliminate restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing industry, fully implement the negative list of cross-border service trade, and promote the orderly expansion of opening up in the service industry. Build an open highland, establish 22 pilot free trade zones, and promote a total of 485 institutional innovations in pilot free trade zones at the national level. Solidly promote the construction of cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones. Focusing on trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, we support Hainan in accelerating the construction of a Chinese style free trade port with global influence. Deepening the reform and innovation of national level economic development zones, which have 85000 high-tech enterprises, accounting for 18.3% of the country's total, making positive contributions to building a new system of open economy and developing new quality productive forces.
Take an open path that combines self-development with benefiting the world, and showcase new achievements through open cooperation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "we must solidly promote high-level opening up to the outside world, not only make good use of the global market and resources to develop ourselves, but also promote common development of the world", and put forward a series of Chinese plans to promote the construction of an open world economy. We firmly adhere to the open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and work hand in hand with all parties to expand the "cake" of the global market. High quality co construction of the "the Belt and Road". From 2013 to 2024, China's trade in goods with co construction countries will reach 26 trillion US dollars, two-way investment will exceed 500 billion US dollars, major landmark projects such as the China Laos Railway will be completed, and a number of "small and beautiful" projects will be implemented. Promoting the continuous improvement of the CIIE, the 8th CIIE has attracted nearly 27000 overseas exhibitors and showcased over 3320 representative new products, technologies, and services. The Hongqiao International Economic Forum has released the World Open Report and World Open Index for five consecutive years, becoming a barometer and indicator of openness. Expand the network of free trade zones, increase the number of free trade partners to 31, and increase the proportion of trade volume with free trade partners to about 44% of total foreign trade (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Enhance the ability to lead by rules, proactively establish and take the lead in leading the Investment Facilitation Agreement for Development, and promote the accession of about 130 WTO members. Sign the China ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, which includes rules in emerging fields such as digital, green, standards, and supply chain connectivity.
Taking the path of opening up that combines expanding openness with risk prevention, the capacity for openness has been further enhanced. We firmly implement the overall national security concept and safeguard national economic security. Continuously improving the export control system, strengthening licensing enforcement capabilities, and ensuring and promoting compliant trade of export controlled items. Establish and improve a trade friction warning system and legal service mechanism, take multiple measures to respond to various new trade restrictions, enhance the resilience of the industrial and supply chains, effectively prevent and resolve risks, and safeguard development interests.
3、 Create a new era of high-level opening-up to the outside world
Pay more attention to sharing market opening opportunities. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "China will promote all countries and parties to share the opportunities of the Chinese market and accelerate the construction of a strong domestic market. China is the world's second-largest consumer and import market, and we need to accelerate the construction of a strong consumer nation, making the Chinese market a great opportunity for the world. Build the 'Export to China' brand. Every year, over a hundred events are held around ten major themes, and the CIIE is held to promote the "import" and "sell well" of high-quality products worldwide, making China the best export destination for more countries. Build the 'Buy in China' brand. Create an international consumption environment, further optimize the outbound tax rebate policy, continue to expand inbound consumption, deepen the construction of international consumption center cities, carry out pilot projects for new consumption formats, models, and scenarios, and enable inbound tourists to better experience the vibrant vitality of the Chinese consumer market.
Pay more attention to improving the quality of open development. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to "enhance the quality and level of trade and investment cooperation" and "build new advantages for participating in international economic cooperation and competition". We need to make good use of both markets and resources, steadily expand institutional opening up, and better strive for strategic initiative in open development. Accelerate the construction of a strong trading nation. Promote the optimization and upgrading of goods trade, promote market diversification, expand intermediate goods trade, promote the digital and green development of trade, and vigorously develop new forms and models of foreign trade such as cross-border e-commerce. Innovate to enhance service trade, steadily promote the gradient opening of cross-border service trade, and build a national demonstration zone for innovative development of service trade. Innovatively develop digital trade and deepen international cooperation in digital trade. Polish the golden signboard of 'investing in China'. Focusing on the service industry, we will expand market access and open up new areas, research and promote further pilot projects in areas such as cloud computing, biotechnology, and wholly-owned hospitals, and steadily and orderly promote the expansion of independent opening up in the service industry. Deepen the comprehensive pilot demonstration of expanding the opening up of the national service industry. Give full play to the role of the roundtable conference for foreign-funded enterprises and provide high-quality services for them. Promote the integration of trade and investment, guide the rational and orderly cross-border layout of industrial and supply chains, improve the management system for foreign investment and the comprehensive overseas service system, and expand the functions of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones. Implement the strategy of upgrading the pilot free trade zone. Optimize and adjust the scope of regional layout, carry out greater institutional opening-up experiments, strengthen replication and promotion work according to local conditions, enhance the innovation led development level, and build Hainan Free Trade Port into an important gateway leading China's opening up in the new era.
Pay more attention to expanding open cooperation space. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out the need to "deepen and expand global partnerships" and "promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative". We need to deepen and expand our foreign economic and trade relations, and broaden the intersection of interests with other countries. Promote negotiations on high standard economic and trade agreements. Continuously promote the accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership, and benchmark the promotion of reforms in relevant domestic fields. Promote the early entry into force of the upgraded protocol of the China ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 version. Promote the signing of more high standard free trade agreements, further increase the proportion of zero tariff products in goods trade, accelerate the expansion and opening up of service trade through negative lists, and actively incorporate high-level economic and trade rules in areas such as digital economy, green economy, and standard cooperation. Promote the high-quality joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" to go deeper and more practical. Deepen pragmatic cooperation in trade, investment, industry, and culture, and expand new cooperation spaces in green development, artificial intelligence, digital economy, health, tourism, agriculture, and other fields. Accelerate the construction of the Land Sea New Corridor and the Silk Road E-commerce Cooperation Pilot Zone.
Pay more attention to enhancing the ability to lead with openness. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to improve global economic governance and build a cooperative world economy. We will strive to achieve a breakthrough from "following" to "leading", and promote the development of the global economic order towards a more just and reasonable direction. Actively participate in the reform of the World Trade Organization. We will firmly uphold the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing members, and fully participate in the formulation of rules in new fields such as trade and environment, digital trade, artificial intelligence, and supply chain resilience. Promote the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization to achieve positive results. Constructive participation and leadership in multilateral and regional economic and trade cooperation. Through platforms and mechanisms such as the United Nations, G20, BRICS, and APEC, we will continue to promote the process of economic globalization and trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, actively creating a free, open, inclusive, and orderly international economic environment.
Pay more attention to building a strong open security barrier. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that 'we must implement the overall national security concept, coordinate opening up and security'. We need to open the door and let in fresh air, but at the same time, we also need to install "screen windows" to prevent the "mosquitoes" that come with it. Improve the open security guarantee system. Accelerate the improvement of the export control system, promote dialogue, exchange and cooperation in export control, formulate and revise supporting policies and regulations, strengthen precise control and investigation and law enforcement. Establish sound mechanisms for industry damage warning and trade friction response, enrich the toolbox for trade investigations, and improve the trade remedy system. Improve the ability to prevent and resolve major risks. Improve the national security review system for foreign investment. Promote legislation on foreign investment, fully leverage the role of national level overseas comprehensive service platforms, timely issue risk warning alerts, properly handle various overseas emergencies, and maintain the safety of overseas assets and personnel. Consolidate and strengthen the public opinion front. Refuting false statements with reason and evidence, focusing on telling China's story well, spreading China's voice well, and maintaining the international public opinion environment for China's open development.
Thought leads the direction, and hard work creates brilliance.