On March 16, 2026, China's National Bureau of Statistics released Jan-Feb economic data showing a strong start with accelerated production, stable demand, growing new quality productivity, while noting external and domestic challenges.

From April 1, 2026, China's General Administration of Customs will promote the cross-customs return mode for cross-border e-commerce retail exports (9610 model) nationwide, addressing industry pain points of difficult returns, high costs and long cycles, and forming policy synergy with tax preferences to boost foreign trade growth.

After the Spring Festival, Fujian foreign trade enterprises resume work quickly. The smart visa service for certificates of origin (export "paper gold") accelerates customs clearance, reduces tariffs, and supports steady foreign trade growth. Fuzhou and Xiamen Customs provide 7×24 intelligent auditing, self-service printing, etc., helping enterprises seize overseas opportunities.

Under Nansha Customs supervision, HKUST(GZ)'s multi-parameter water quality analyzers were exported to Hong Kong via Nansha Port for GBA marine ecology research. It's the first national attempt to regulate cross-border tax-reduction/exemption research equipment flow, with optimized customs measures to boost GBA scientific cooperation.

Doumen Customs supports fresh aquatic product exports (live fish) to Hong Kong, Macau and Southeast Asia via 7×24 inspection, green channels and RCEP/Belt and Road dividends. Year-to-date HK/Macau exports up 5.9%, with full chain traceability ensuring safety.

On March 7, 2024, Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Logistics Park launched cross-border e-commerce business, exporting 25.864 million products worth 3.45 billion yuan in two years. As a core platform of Hong Kong Zhuhai Macao Bridge, it partners with e-commerce platforms like Xiyin, Pinduoduo. Wan Chai Customs supports with intelligent supervision and fast clearance to boost Greater Bay Area's high-quality development.

Gongbei Customs supervised 3965 tons of cosmetics exports (71% YoY growth, 160M yuan) in the first two months of this year amid the "Beautiful Economy" peak season. Customs provides smart, targeted support to enterprises like Meijia Biotechnology in the Greater Bay Area.

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.