China handed in high-level open answers
Our reporter Qiu Haifeng, "People's Daily Overseas Edition" (version 06 on January 4, 2022)
At the beginning of 2022, China's opening to the outside world will usher in a major event: the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) has officially entered into force.
As the world's largest free trade zone, RCEP has attracted worldwide attention.
In the past year, in order to promote the agreement to enter into force as scheduled, China took the lead in completing the approval process and completing the preparations for tariff concessions, and used practical actions to send a clear signal to the world: China's determination to expand high-level opening up will not change.
Looking back on 2021, facing the world's unprecedented changes in a century and the pandemic of the century, China has shown its responsibility again, and the door of opening has opened wider and wider: from the China International Import Expo and the International Trade Fair to the Consumer Expo and the Canton Fair, national-level exhibitions are wonderful A series of results; from the 2021 version of the negative list of foreign investment access to the first cross-border service trade negative list, opening up areas continue to expand; from the Hainan Free Trade Port Law to the promotion of the free trade pilot zone trade and investment facilitation reform and innovation 19 measures to open up new heights Speeding up construction... China has handed in a high-level opening answer sheet. While winning development opportunities for itself, it also further opens the door to the world for sharing opportunities, and continues to provide strong impetus for the steady recovery of the global economy.
The 2021 version of the negative list for foreign investment access has further shortened the length-
Relaxation of access, foreign investment is optimistic
At the end of 2021, the two negative lists attracted great attention at home and abroad: On December 27, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce issued the "Special Management Measures for Foreign Investment Access (Negative List) (2021 Edition)" and the "Foreign Investment in Pilot Free Trade Zones" Special Management Measures for Investment Access (Negative List) (2021 Edition)".
"Reduce" has once again become the key word.
The 2021 version of the Negative List for Foreign Investment Access in the National and Pilot Free Trade Zones has been further reduced to 31 and 27, with reduction ratios of 6.1% and 10% respectively.
Prior to this, from 2017 to 2020, China has revised the negative lists of the national and pilot free trade zones for four consecutive years, and the special management measures for foreign investment access have been reduced from 93 and 122 to 33 and 30 respectively.
There are new changes in more areas.
In the field of automobile manufacturing, the restrictions on the foreign shareholding ratio in passenger car manufacturing have been lifted, and the restrictions on the same foreign company's establishment of two or less joint ventures in the country that produce similar vehicle products; in the field of radio and television equipment manufacturing, foreign investment in satellite television broadcasting has been cancelled Restrictions on the production of ground receiving facilities and key components are managed in accordance with the principle of consistent domestic and foreign investment; the pilot free trade zone explores to relax access to the service industry, and in the field of market research, except for radio and television listening and viewing surveys that must be controlled by the Chinese party, the restrictions on foreign investment access are removed .
The continuous relaxation of foreign capital access has provided a broader space for foreign businessmen to invest in China.
In 2020, against the backdrop of a sharp decline in global cross-border investment, China attracted US$149.34 billion in foreign investment, steadily increasing and maintaining the second place in the world.
In the first 11 months of 2021, China's actual use of foreign investment exceeded one trillion yuan, which has exceeded the scale of foreign investment in 2020, and is expected to achieve the first double-digit growth in recent years.
"China's progress in opening up and improving the business environment has brought new opportunities to Honeywell and strengthened our confidence in furthering China." Honeywell China President Lin Shiwei said that China has become Honeywell's largest In the growing market of China, the company will increase its investment in China, while seeking business growth, use technology to help the high-quality development of China's economy, and promote innovative products, technologies and solutions developed for the Chinese market to the global market.
Announced once again the reduction of tariffs on a variety of imported goods-
Joining WTO for 20 years, benefiting the world
2021 is the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the World Trade Organization.
In the past year, many companies have further felt the benefits of China's accession to the WTO.
In March 2021, Bayer's world's first alpha particle targeted therapy drug Dofigo® was officially launched in China and started to be used for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Bayer China’s Chief Financial Officer Steve said: “Since 2018, China has introduced a series of measures such as implementing zero tariffs on imported anti-cancer drugs and encouraging the import of innovative drugs. Over the next few years, Bayer has introduced more than 10 innovative prescription drugs. The drug is approved for listing in China."
The drastic reduction of tariffs on anti-cancer drugs is the epitome of China's continuous reduction of tariffs over the past 20 years since its accession to the WTO.
Over the past 20 years, China has fully fulfilled its WTO commitments, and the overall tariff level has dropped from 15.3% to 7.4%, which is lower than the 9.8% WTO commitments.
Today, China is still further reducing tariffs.
On December 15, 2021, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council issued a notice that the import and export tariffs of certain commodities will be adjusted in 2022.
Among them, the implementation of zero tariffs on the new anti-cancer drug radium chloride injection; the reduction of import tariffs on some consumer goods, including high-quality aquatic products such as salmon and cod, baby clothing, dishwashers, ski equipment, etc.; and oil paintings that are more than 100 years old. The implementation of zero tariffs on artworks...
At the 4th CIIE, China made it clear that it supports the development of the World Trade Organization reform in the right direction, supports the inclusive development of the multilateral trading system, and supports the legitimate rights and interests of developing members.
China will actively and openly participate in negotiations on topics such as digital economy, trade and environment, industrial subsidies, and state-owned enterprises, maintain its status as the main channel for international rule-making of the multilateral trading system, and maintain the stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain.
Opening up step by step, working hard again and again, has won high recognition from the international community.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the World Trade Organization, the WTO will host a high-level forum on December 10, 2021 at its headquarters in Geneva with the theme "20th Anniversary of China's Accession to the WTO: Integration and Development".
WTO Director-General Ivira said at the forum that China has made "surprising" development achievements in the past 20 years since its accession to the WTO. China has made important contributions to global poverty reduction and the fight against the new crown pneumonia epidemic.
"China is an active participant in WTO multilateral and plurilateral trade negotiations, and has played an active role in WTO reforms."
China-Europe Express trains have operated more than a thousand trains in a single month for 19 consecutive months——
The Belt and Road Initiative, fruitful
"Start!" On the afternoon of December 3, 2021, as the heads of state of China and Laos issued instructions through video, the entire line of the China-Laos railway connecting Kunming and Vientiane and adopting Chinese standards was put into operation.
As a landmark project for high-quality co-construction of the “Belt and Road”, after the opening of the China-Laos Railway, through the connection with Thailand’s meter gauge, the Trans-Asian Railway’s mid-channel is initially opened. Indochina Peninsula countries can reach the Chinese market via the China-Laos Railway and pass through Central Europe. The train can further reach the European market, which will reduce circulation costs and promote the recovery and development of the regional economy after the epidemic.
The World Bank research report pointed out that the China-Laos railway is expected to reduce the transportation cost between Vientiane and Kunming by 40% to 50%; the transportation cost from Lan Chabang Port in Thailand to Kunming is expected to drop by at least 32%.
It is estimated that by 2030, the annual transit trade cargo volume through the Laos section of the China-Laos Railway will reach 3.9 million tons.
In the past year, the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” has continuously made new progress.
More than 90% of the civil engineering works of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway line have been completed, and it has entered the stage of transition from construction to operation and maintenance preparation; the Serbian sewage treatment project has officially started, including the transformation of 65 urban sewage discharge pipe networks and sewage treatment systems in 77 regions in Serbia And new construction work; the Hungary section of the Hungary-Serbia railway project and the Novi Sad-Subotica border section of Serbia held the groundbreaking ceremony and the groundbreaking ceremony successively...
The number of China-Europe express trains continued to operate at a high level.
In November 2021, the China-Europe freight train opened 1,246 trains, transporting 120,000 TEUs, an increase of 1% and 4% year-on-year respectively, and the combined heavy container rate was 99.4%. For 19 consecutive months, more than 1,000 trains were opened in a single month.
As of the end of November 2021, China-Europe freight trains have operated 47,414 trains, transported 4.297 million TEUs of goods, and transported 13.43 million anti-epidemic materials, totaling 103,000 tons.
The circle of friends is further expanded.
Recently, China and African countries such as Central Africa, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Burkina Faso, Sao Tome and Principe signed inter-governmental cooperation documents on jointly building the “Belt and Road”.
As of December 15, 2021, China has signed more than 200 cooperation documents for the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" with 145 countries and 32 international organizations.
The cumulative intentions of the four CIIEs exceeded US$270 billion——
Charm into the Expo, win-win cooperation
There are new gains!
For the fourth time to participate in the CIIE, the New Zealand dairy industry leader Fonterra Group launched more than ten new products and signed large orders with more Chinese companies.
Zhou Dehan, CEO of Fonterra Greater China, said frankly, “Through the platform of the CIIE, we have narrowed the distance with many old friends and made many new friends.”
From November 5 to 10, 2021, the 4th China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai.
Under the cold wave of the world economy, the charm of China's first CIIE has not diminished: the total exhibition area has been further expanded to 366,000 square meters, and cultural relics and artworks and other special areas have been newly established. Nearly 3,000 exhibitors from 127 countries and regions appeared at the enterprise exhibition. The number of countries and companies exceeded the previous year.
Good things from all over the world are coming.
In just 6 days, more than 420 new products, new technologies, and new services were unveiled in a concentrated manner. The "world premiere, Asia premiere, and China premiere" took turns on stage.
In the past four years, no matter what the risks and challenges faced, the CIIE has always come as promised, allowing the open spring breeze to warm the world.
From 57.83 billion US dollars in the first CIIE to 70.72 billion US dollars in the fourth CIIE, the cumulative intention of the four CIIEs exceeded 270 billion US dollars.
Not only show deals.
From digital economy to green development, from smart technology to consumption upgrade, from agricultural cooperation to financial opening, the Hongqiao Forum of the 4th CIIE hosted 12 sub-forums and 1 international seminar. More than 2,000 Chinese and foreign guests and scholars gathered together. In order to promote the recovery of the world economy and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, the "Hongqiao Voice" has been issued; the first release of the "World Open Report 2021" clearly pointed out that the future opening of the world requires greater cooperation.
The four successful CIIEs have become an international public product shared by the world and an important window for the world to observe China and share development opportunities.
Norov, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, praised: "China's hosting of the CIIE demonstrates its determination to continue to expand and open up, which will help create favorable conditions for common prosperity and continue to promote pragmatic cooperation."
The first Consumer Expo attracted 2628 consumer boutique brands to participate in the exhibition——
Consumption feast, benefiting the world
In May 2021, in the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center, the first China International Consumer Goods Expo was very lively: 1,505 companies and 2,628 consumer boutique brands from about 70 countries and regions participated in the exhibition, and the number of various buyers and professional visitors exceeded 30,000 , More than 240,000 visitors entered the venue, and more than 100 sailing yachts from more than 50 well-known domestic and foreign brands participated in the exhibition......
As China's first national-level exhibition with the theme of consumer products, the Consumer Fair is another new international public product launched by China after the Canton Fair, the Service Trade Fair, and the China International Import Expo.
From May 7th to May 10th, in just 4 days, global consumer boutiques rushed to appear: international brands held 83 new product launch conferences, and various domestic provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities held 10 local boutique promotion conferences, with a total of more than 550 new products released.
The real body temperature can be measured in as fast as 15 seconds, and the error is no more than 0.1 degrees Celsius. A new predictive thermometer has become the focus of many buyers’ consultations; a smart screen can measure heartbeat, mood, and stress index, and the audience People watched and experienced... Participating in the first Consumer Expo, Omron was full of strength and brought many famous products.
Zhao Yao, director and general manager of Omron Healthcare (China) Co., Ltd., said that Omron used to participate in exhibitions in some professional fields. This time, "breaking the circle" came to the first Consumer Expo to communicate directly with more customers and consumers. , Exchange, and gain a lot.
Through this largest consumer boutique exhibition in the Asia-Pacific region, more companies have strengthened their determination and confidence in deepening the Chinese market.
“Dell not only launched many new computer products at the Consumer Fair this time, but also launched Alienware’s first duty-free shop in mainland China at Haitang Bay International Duty Free City in Sanya, Hainan. This is also the first place in Haitang Bay Duty Free City. An electronic and digital specialty store." said Zhou Bing, global vice president of Dell Technology Group.
In the eyes of the majority of foreign-funded enterprises, China has become an important driving force for the growth of the global consumer market. The new trend of China's consumption upgrade has brought new opportunities to the world economy and released a strong attraction.
The reform and innovation of trade and investment facilitation in the Pilot Free Trade Zone continue to advance——
Opening up new heights, construction has achieved results
Offshore trade has a new assistant!
Not long ago, the "Offshore Link" platform of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone was launched in the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone of Shanghai Free Trade Zone.
By effectively integrating overseas data, the platform helps banks better review the authenticity of offshore trade, and facilitates the free trade zone to "sell and dispatch the world".
Regarding the launch of the “Offshore Connect” platform, the relevant person in charge of Sony Electronics Operations (China) Co., Ltd. said that due to the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the global electronic component production is in an unstable state. Through the “Offshore Connect” platform, companies can improve Give full play to the advantages of overseas stocks and improve the stability of the supply chain.
In 2021, the reform and innovation of the Pilot Free Trade Zone will continue to advance.
The "Measures for Promoting the Reform and Innovation of Trade and Investment Facilitation in Pilot Free Trade Zones" issued in early September, proposed to support the development of offshore trade in pilot free trade zones, liberalize statutory inspections of internationally registered ships, and support the cultivation of import trade in pilot free trade zones. Promote innovation demonstration zones and other measures.
Wang Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy Representative for International Trade Negotiations, stated that the measures give the Pilot Free Trade Zone greater reform autonomy in the facilitation of trade and investment, and put forward 19 targeted measures to promote the Pilot Free Trade Zone to make better use of reforms. Demonstration and leading role of opening up the vanguard.
Focusing on the construction and opening of new highlands, pilot free trade zones and free trade ports have continued to exert their efforts in the past year.
Following the import of the first "zero-tariff" car at the Hainan Free Trade Port at the end of May 2021 at the Haikou Port, a number of new "zero-tariff" models including Toyota Senna and Aston Martin have been launched in Haikou recently. Customs clearance and clearance at Haikou Port under the customs.
As of December 23, 2021, Haikou Customs has supervised a total of 33 "zero-tariff" imported cars, and 13 companies have actually benefited, with a total import value of 10.029 million yuan and tax exemption of about 3.315 million yuan.
Looking forward to 2022, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao stated that he will promote the introduction of a negative list of cross-border service trade in pilot free trade zones as soon as possible, and support qualified pilot free trade zones and free trade ports to carry out the first trial of international high-level free trade agreement rules. Increase the intensity of open stress testing.