People's Daily Online, Beijing, August 13 (Li Qiaochu) Recently, the State Council issued the "Opinions on Further Stabilizing Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment." On August 13, the State Council Information Office held a regular policy briefing of the State Council. Ren Hongbin, Assistant Minister of Commerce, said that since the beginning of this year, the new crown pneumonia epidemic has had a huge impact on the development of foreign trade. China’s policies and measures to stabilize foreign trade have been unprecedented in strength. Effectively help companies relieve their difficulties and boost market confidence. From January to July this year, my country’s imports and exports were better than expected, mainly showing the following characteristics:
First, imports and exports have gradually stabilized. Since April, exports have been increasing for four consecutive months. From an international comparison, according to the latest WTO data, our import and export performance is better than that of major global economies. Second, the layout of the international market continued to be optimized, and the proportion of exports to emerging markets increased by 0.2%, accounting for 49% of our exports. ASEAN has become our largest trading partner. Third, private enterprises have become the "stabilizer" of foreign trade. The export of private enterprises increased by 6.4%, and the proportion increased to 54.5%, accounting for half of the country. Fourth, the commodity structure was continuously optimized. The export of electromechanical products increased by 0.2%, accounting for 58.5%. Fifth, the status of general trade is more prominent. Sixth, new business formats such as cross-border e-commerce are developing rapidly.
In the second half of the year, the situation facing my country's foreign trade became more complicated and severe, and uncertainties and unstable factors increased. Mainly reflected in: First, the epidemic is still spreading rapidly around the world. Second, the global economic downturn has had a great impact on our external demand. Third, overseas demand continues to weaken. The fourth is the continuous increase of international trade restrictions.
Ren Hongbin said, but at the same time, we must see that my country's foreign trade has sufficient resilience and great potential, and the long-term upward trend has not changed. We have the leadership of the party and the superiority of the socialist system, the consumption space of the domestic super-large-scale market, and the innovative spirit of the majority of foreign trade enterprises. Under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee and the joint efforts of all departments and localities, we are confident of achieving the goal of promoting stability and quality of foreign trade throughout the year. The main task is to do a good job in the following four areas:
One is to grasp practical and adequate trade policies to stabilize the main body. Give full play to the role of foreign trade and foreign investment coordination mechanism, strengthen horizontal collaboration and vertical linkage, form a joint force of work, and implement precise policies to help enterprises enhance their competitiveness in the international market.
The second is to optimize the layout of the international market to protect the market. Continue to consolidate traditional markets, explore emerging markets, and deepen economic and trade cooperation along the “Belt and Road” initiative. In compliance with the requirements of epidemic prevention and control, various economic and trade activities will be resumed in an orderly manner. Actively promote the expansion of exports of daily necessities, continue to do a good job in the export of epidemic prevention materials, strictly control the export quality, and standardize the export order.
The third is to continue to promote the optimization and upgrading of foreign trade structure and stabilize the supply chain of the foreign trade industry chain. Accelerate the construction of demonstration bases for the transformation and upgrading of foreign trade, give full play to the positive role of export bases in stabilizing the supply chain of the foreign trade industry chain, guide the transfer of processing trade to the central and western regions and northeast regions, further enhance the leading role of large-scale backbone foreign trade enterprises, and encourage advanced technology, equipment and key Import parts and components, and successfully host the 3rd China International Import Expo.
The fourth is to promote the innovative development of trade and foster new advantages in participating in international cooperation and competition under the new situation. Guide enterprises to increase investment in science and technology, promote innovation, optimize brand, marketing, and service systems, and increase efforts to cultivate advanced manufacturing enterprises with strong innovation capabilities and international competitiveness. Accelerate the cultivation of new forms and models of foreign trade. Determine the second batch of national international marketing service public platforms. Speed up import trade to promote the construction of innovation demonstration zones. Actively promote the innovative development of border trade.