Zhakou Customs seized 623g of endangered coral (Caryophyllales, CITES Appendix II, China's second-class protected) from Macau passenger Jiang at Gongbei Port on Feb 8. Customs reminds carrying endangered species/products without legal certificates is prohibited, with criminal liability for serious cases.

On March 9th, wet noodles from Shoutao (Jiangsu) Food Co., Ltd. were exported to the Netherlands via Suqian Customs' green channel. Suqian Customs supported qualification filing, quality control and optimized customs clearance. From Jan-Feb 2026, Suqian's flour products export reached 810,000 yuan, up 6% year-on-year.

On March 12, 2026, US ITC ruled Chinese Active Anode Materials (AMM) imports didn’t harm US related industries, so no double anti tariffs. China won, with Minmetals Chamber coordinating responses. Earlier US Commerce had positive anti-dumping/countervailing rulings but ITC’s 2:1 negative vote reversed it.

Brazilian federal senators voted on March 4 to approve the Mercosur-EU free trade agreement. The FTA was signed on Jan 17 and requires parliamentary approval; Brazil's House, Uruguay and Argentina have also approved it.

On March 6th, PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng stated at the 14th NPC Fourth Session economic press conference that RMB's appreciation against USD relates to China's economic improvement, weak USD index and seasonal enterprise settlement. Current RMB-USD rate is in recent years' median range. China has no need/intention to gain trade advantage via currency depreciation. PBOC insists on market-determined exchange rate, maintains flexibility, guides expectations and keeps RMB rate stable at reasonable balanced level.

On March 6th, the 4th Session of the 14th National People's Congress held an economic press conference. Minister Wang Wentao stated China's foreign trade continued last year's trend but faced complex external environment, and will build three pillars of a strong trading country and promote four coordinations to stabilize foreign trade.

On March 6, US Customs and Border Protection stated it can't immediately refund tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act due to limitations, involving $166 billion from 330k importers. It plans to launch a new system in 45 days (by late April) for refunds, following recent court rulings against the tariffs.

On March 4th, the EU released the "Industrial Accelerator Act" with restrictions on foreign investment in four strategic industries. China's Ministry of Commerce expresses serious concern, deems it investment barriers violating WTO rules, calls on the EU to return to fair cooperation, and will safeguard Chinese enterprises' legitimate rights and interests.

The article focuses on building a strong domestic market as strategic support for Chinese modernization, with 2026 as the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan. It outlines policy measures to boost domestic demand (consumption/investment), resolve supply-demand contradictions, promote supply-demand interaction, and deepen reform/openness to enhance endogenous growth.

Some Western claims of "foreign capital withdrawing from China" are unfounded. Data shows China's foreign investment has grown for 16 consecutive years, with new enterprises increasing. Multinational corporations adjusting business is normal; most foreign firms remain confident in China's market due to its opening up, innovation ecosystem, and growth potential.

The government work report and 15th Five-Year Plan emphasize high-level opening-up. China has made historic opening-up achievements (leading global goods trade, Belt and Road cooperation, etc.). Enterprises actively participate, with opening-up boosting economic development and global win-win cooperation.

In 2025, Xi Jinping emphasized Hainan Free Trade Port's strategic opening-up role; it launched full island closure with stable growth. Initiatives cover high-level opening, quality development, reform, dual circulation, livelihood, security, and party-led construction.

In spring 2026, Dongguan's industries innovate for foreign trade growth—airport hub explores new routes, traditional enterprises enter low altitude economy, healthcare, AI. By end 2025, its foreign trade import-export grew for 21 consecutive months; 2026 targets sustained growth.

The 15th Five Year Plan's opening year plan enriches China's high-level opening-up. China promotes global cooperation, BRI, and open economy amid protectionism, sharing development opportunities with the world and upholding multilateralism.

Former APEC Secretariat ED & Peruvian ex-ambassador to China Juan Carlos Kapuenai says China's 15th Five-Year Plan reflects long-term modernization strategy; Chinese modernization fuels global development. He notes China's global stability role, looks forward to APEC's 33rd Shenzhen meeting, and highlights Belt and Road, global governance contributions.

At a press conference on Nanning's foreign trade high-quality development, Nanning has built an ASEAN "4-hour air logistics circle", normalized China-Vietnam cross-border express trains, formed a three-dimensional transport network, and achieved rapid growth (2025 import/export: 104.44b yuan, +12.4% YoY).

Hainan Free Trade Port's closure is a landmark for high-level opening up. Trade facilitation improved, with Spring Festival duty-free shopping up 30.8% and visa-free tourists up 75.6%. Characteristic industries (aviation maintenance, space culture) develop, foreign-funded enterprises rise 13% year-on-year. Future suggestions include benchmarking CPTPP, boosting cross-border trade and talent attraction.

The Canton Fair Promotion Conference was held in Frankfurt, Germany on March 10. The 138th Canton Fair set an attendance record, and the 139th will open on April 15 with innovative "Made in China" products. Representatives discussed Sino-German economic cooperation opportunities.

The 2026 African Trade Conference was held in Cape Town on March 11, 2026. Attendees called for strengthening regional cooperation, eliminating trade barriers, and promoting intra African trade integration. African officials discussed global conflicts' impacts, infrastructure, and trade system fragmentation, advocating solutions to enhance trade resilience.

Shanghai Customs reports Jan-Feb 2026 stats: 7281 international vessels (historic high, +2.4% yoy), 41k aircraft (+1.2%), 6.92m passengers (+1.5%). Measures include digital empowerment, green channel for NEV exports (Nangang Port 163k vehicles, double yoy), green methanol refueling record, and optimized air cargo/passenger clearance.