UNCTAD's Global Trade Update report indicates trade policy changes (U.S. tariffs, regional agreements, preferential programs) reshape global export competition and trade patterns, impact economies' competitiveness, and create new export opportunities (alternative suppliers, supply chain regionalization, etc.).

February 26 marks the 12th anniversary of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development strategy (2014-2025). Tianjin Customs data shows the region’s foreign trade imports & exports rose from 3.74 trillion yuan (2014) to 4.7 trillion yuan (2025, +25.7%), with record exports, sixfold auto exports growth, and significant increases in bonded logistics, private enterprises’ trade, and Belt and Road-related trade.

Su Jian, CEO of American Soybean Export Association, discussed US-China soybean trade: China is the US's most important market, with 22.6 million tons exported in 2024/25 and expected 25 million tons in 2026. He emphasized mutual benefit, tariff impacts, and the need for stable trade relations.

中德建交50年经贸合作持续深化，2025年双边贸易额达1.51万亿人民币，同比增5.2%，机电产品为主要驱动力；德国总理访华并携经贸代表团，彰显深化合作意愿。

Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Commerce issued the second batch of Tianjin Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) linkage innovation zones plan, designating 5 national economic development zones as linkage zones. Aiming to build high-vitality zones in 3-5 years via leading industries, replicate innovations. Tianjin FTZ has 686 institutional innovations (49 national replicated) in 10 years. The 5 zones' characteristic industries will accelerate with FTZ policies; implementation requirements are set.

The Ministry of Commerce and other departments adjusted and published the Catalogue of Services Encouraged to Import, repealing a prior announcement. The directory follows three principles: meeting domestic urgent needs (productive services for new productive forces/green transformation, livelihood services for better life), connecting with existing encouraged sectors, excluding prohibited or national security-harmful services.

China has over 5.32 million domestic effective invention patents (first globally to exceed 5 million), holds 60% of global AI patents & ~2/3 robot patents, leads in PCT green patent applications, with improved patent protection and is a patent powerhouse.

On Feb 9, 103.5 tons of imported recycled aluminum arrived at Chongqing Yongchuan Port, marking Chongqing's first pilot of optimized customs supervision for such materials via river-sea intermodal transport. Purchased by Chongqing Xinge, it entered via Shanghai Waigaoqiao, was water-transported directly to Yongchuan, supervised by Chongqing Customs, and put into production. The model cuts costs (12000 yuan per container), solves capacity bottlenecks, and benefits downstream enterprises.

Zhejiang's first urban duty-free shop opened in Hangzhou before Spring Festival 2026, offering city shopping with airport pick-up. Supported by Hangzhou Customs' smart supervision, it plans to introduce Zhejiang's high-quality products, benefiting outbound travelers and local brands.

Recently, 18.9 tons of Danish spinach seeds arrived at Qingdao Port under the General Administration of Customs' "conditional removal of imported seedlings" policy. This measure boosts seedling survival rate to over 95% and cuts costs, with Qingdao Dagang Customs offering one-stop services for agricultural seed imports.

Pazhou Port's departure tax refund point starts trial operation on Feb 15 and official use on Mar 1. Guangzhou Customs optimizes services to ensure smooth operation, filling the port's tax refund service gap, and supported Spring Festival peak travel with efficient customs clearance and tax refund.

During 2026 Spring Festival, Zhuhai Highway Port of Hong Kong Zhuhai Macao Bridge saw traffic peak. Gongbei Customs released 199k inbound/outbound cars (38.2% YoY) and 152k Hong Kong/Macau single license plate vehicles (63.4% YoY), with Feb 22 hitting historical highs. Reasons include self-driving needs, policies, two-way travel trend. Customs took measures like dynamic deployment, tech to ensure efficient clearance.

Dayaowan Customs released 1452.45 tons of imported seeds/fertilizers and 82 agricultural machines (valued 22.4024 million yuan, +30.96% YoY) in Jan. It adopted measures like big data platform and dedicated post to facilitate clearance for spring plowing preparation.

According to Chinese customs, China-Germany goods trade reached 1.51 trillion yuan in 2025 (up 5.2% YoY). Germany is China's top EU trade partner, China returns as Germany's largest. Mechanical and electrical products dominate, with autos, electronics and emerging products like 3D printers noted. Both are win-win comprehensive strategic partners.

On February 15th, Sun Meijun, Director General of the General Administration of Customs, conducted a video inspection of key ports on the first day of the Spring Festival holiday, extended greetings to frontline staff, and deployed measures for smooth customs clearance, emergency response, and risk prevention. Zhang Baofeng accompanied the inspection.

On February 24, China's Ministry of Commerce issued two announcements adding 20 Japanese entities to export control list (military-related) and 20 to watchlist (dual-use end-user verification issues). Measures aim to stop Japan's remilitarization, are legitimate and won't affect normal China-Japan trade.

2025年中国中西部外贸表现突出，新三样出口增长显著，外贸结构优化（绿色创新、伙伴多元化），资源优势、国际格局变化及国家战略赋能其增长；2026年机遇挑战并存，需差异化发展、优化营商环境促高质量发展。

China will implement zero tariff measures for 53 African countries with diplomatic ties starting May 1, 2026. Bakari Sambu of Senegal's Timbuktu Institute says the measure boosts African exports to China, deepens China-Africa cooperation and South-South cooperation, and drives African industrialization, noting African governments need to prepare businesses for policy dividends.

China submitted a position paper on WTO reform to the WTO, covering background (WTO reform context, China's prior contributions), main content (overall stance on multilateralism/development, proposals on decision-making, development, fair competition, dispute resolution), and characteristics (comprehensive, multilateral, development-focused).

Qinhuangdao's coastal wetlands are key migratory bird stopovers (Siberia-Australia route). Qinhuangdao Customs conducts wild bird disease monitoring via sampling, satellite tracking of nocturnal birds, and collaborates on databases, supporting biosecurity and biodiversity research.