The Wall Street Journal notes Western companies in China have shifted from cash cows to testing grounds amid intense local competition. They now need localization, faster innovation, and strategic adjustments (e.g., VW's "in China, for China", IKEA's new products). China remains a key market and innovation hub despite challenges.

Japan's Q3 2024 real GDP declined 1.8% annually, facing internal (weak demand, inflation, structural issues) and external (US tariffs, export shrinkage) challenges. Gaoshi Zaomiao's stimulus may be ineffective; military expansion and Taiwan remarks harm Sino-Japan ties and economic prospects.

The 11th RCEP Joint Committee meeting focused on promoting new members (e.g., Sri Lanka, Chile) joining amid global supply chain restructuring. RCEP has cross-regional potential, with China-ASEAN as core. China plans four steps to drive its development, addressing US multilateral retreat and geopolitical concerns.

The new version of the China-Russia bilateral investment agreement officially took effect on December 1, 2025. The old agreement was signed in 2006; the two sides launched upgrade negotiations in 2022 and inked the new version on May 8, 2025 to improve the business environment for investors.

In 2025, China's economy maintains stable growth amid external uncertainties, with GDP expected to reach 140 trillion yuan. Consumption and real economy are solid, new drivers like quantum tech and aerospace emerge, foreign investment increases, global institutions raise growth forecasts, and high-quality development trend remains unchanged.

Starting from Dec 1, 2024, China grants zero tariff on 100% taxable products of LDCs with diplomatic ties; in June this year, extended to 53 African countries. The policy boosts China-Africa trade, China remains Africa's largest trading partner for 16 years, with import growth, achieving mutual benefit and reflecting major country responsibility.

This article focuses on Understanding China through the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and high-level opening-up, traces China's foreign trade evolution, analyzes global trade order changes, and proposes GBA-led institutional openness measures for fairer trade.

On Nov 28, "Mediterranean Jenaer No.4" docked at Ningbo Zhoushan Port under Ningbo Customs supervision, marking the official opening of Mediterranean Shipping Company's East Africa route. Deploying 10 4500TEU container ships, it transports auto, electronic and chemical products to Tanzania & Kenya, bringing nearly 900 TEUs export throughput. Ningbo Zhoushan Port's container routes reach 308 (256 international), improving efficiency for African market.

Jiangxi Hengxing Food's roasted eel worth 460,000 yuan will be exported to Romania after customs quarantine. Fuzhou Customs provides full-chain supervision and assistance for roasted eel export. In the first 10 months of this year, Fuzhou Customs supervised 27.21 million yuan worth of roasted eel exports. The company plans to further expand overseas markets.

Recently, the Chinese luxury cruise ship "China Merchants Yidun" docked at Qingdao International Cruise Terminal with 865 international tourists. Qingdao's cruise economy is booming, building an integrated "port business district" pattern. Qingdao Dagang Customs optimized clearance measures, with 39 cruise ships and 68,000 passengers supervised this year, up 14.7% and 37.3% year-on-year.

The first batch of 160kg live Weishan Lake eels from Shandong's Weishan County was successfully exported to South Korea, marking a zero breakthrough. Jining Customs provided policy guidance, testing support, and a green channel to ensure smooth export.

Actively implements batch inspection reform for major export products (e.g., sodium hydroxide, toluene diisocyanate), achieving 69 on-site inspections with over 60% efficiency improvement; assists enterprises in solving export issues, coordinates for new product exemptions; establishes one-on-one service for AEO enterprises to expand Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa markets.

Customs at Shijiazhuang Airport seized two suspected ivory products (ornaments of He Xiangu and Shouxian Weng Xianren) weighing 1.47kg from inbound parcels declared as "T-shirts". The case is transferred for disposal, and customs reminds that illegal trade/carrying of endangered species products is illegal.

Kunming Customs conducts free AIDS screening for cross-border transport practitioners at Yunnan Tianbao Port’s Driver’s Home, building monitoring outposts at 10 ports; detected infectious disease cases show a downward trend, strengthening southwest border biosecurity.

December 1, 2025 is the 38th World AIDS Day. Lanzhou Customs focuses on port health quarantine, conducts AIDS prevention via publicity, joint prevention and optimized services, builds a health barrier at Gansu ports, and disseminates AIDS knowledge to entry-exit personnel.

On Dec 1, over 30 precious artworks (including 2 Monet "Water Lilies") from Chicago Art Museum arrived at Ningbo Museum after Yinzhou Customs supervision. The exhibition "Monet's Poetry: East-West Aesthetic Dialogue" (Ningbo as tour final stop) features collections from both museums, with customs providing efficient tailored services.

Ningbo Customs promotes high-quality China-Central and Eastern European economic and trade cooperation via info empowerment and efficient services. It has 2 online service scenarios and a one-stop platform. In 2025, it will build customs inspection/quarantine info sharing mechanism. Ningbo Zhoushan Port’s container throughput with CEE exceeds 1 million TEUs, with 12 sea routes and 3 passenger-freight routes opened.

On November 28th, under Beilun Customs supervision, the "Mediterranean Jienaler No.4" docked at Zhoushan Port, marking the opening of Mediterranean Shipping's East African route. It deploys 10 4500TEU container ships to transport goods from Ningbo to Tanzania/Kenya, bringing nearly 900TEU export throughput. Ningbo Zhoushan Port now has 308 container routes (256 international), improving efficiency for relevant industries in African markets.

Yesterday, under Beilun Customs supervision, the "Mediterranean Jienaler No.4" docked at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, marking the opening of Mediterranean Shipping's East Africa route and a new Belt and Road route. The route deploys 10 4500TEU ships to deliver goods to Tanzania/Kenya, improving efficiency. Ningbo Zhoushan Port now has 308 container routes, 132 of which are Belt and Road ones.

Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Center Customs shares full chain escort measures (cost reduction, speedup, IP protection, TBT breaking) supporting biopharmaceutical R&D at 2025 Shanghai International Symposium. Shanghai’s biopharma industry is expected to exceed 1 trillion yuan this year; customs aids enterprises via policy support, rapid clearance, and IP/regulatory services.