General

On September 27, the State Council Information Office held a regular briefing on State Council policies to introduce the support for the stable development of foreign trade and answer questions from reporters.

Wang Shouwen, international trade negotiator and vice minister of the Ministry of Commerce, introduced at the press conference that according to customs data, in the first eight months of this year, China's import and export volume reached 27.3 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.1%. resilience and vitality. He said that the Ministry of Commerce will continue to work with relevant localities and departments to closely monitor the operation of foreign trade, do a good job in analysis and judgment of the situation, do a good job in the organization and implementation of a new round of foreign trade policies, and strive to provide good services for foreign trade enterprises to reduce costs and increase efficiency. In order to ensure the completion of the goal of maintaining stability and improving the quality of foreign trade this year.

The growth of external demand slowed down, and the growth rate of foreign trade declined in August

According to customs data, from January to August this year, my country's foreign trade import and export reached 27.3 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.1%, a record high. At the same time, however, the growth rate of foreign trade declined in August. Compared with July, the growth rate of foreign trade imports and exports decreased by 7.9 percentage points. There are also companies reporting that foreign trade orders are also declining.

When answering questions from reporters, Wang Shouwen pointed out that the slowdown in the growth of external demand is the biggest uncertainty facing my country's current foreign trade, which is mainly reflected in the slowdown of economic growth in major economies such as the United States and Europe.

For example, in September, the Federal Reserve predicted that the U.S. GDP would grow by 0.2% this year, and the European Central Bank predicted that the economic growth rate of the euro zone would be close to zero in the third and fourth quarters of this year. According to customs data, the overall export growth rate of 68 major economies in the world dropped from 14.9% in the first quarter to 11.9% in the second quarter.

Chinese companies report that orders are decreasing, because import demand in some major markets is declining, and companies in other regions such as Southeast Asia also feel that orders are decreasing and demand is decreasing.

Wang Shouwen analyzed that this is because inflation in some major economies is high, and the crowding-out effect on general consumer goods is increasing. Some time ago, many foreign importers bought a lot of goods, forming a high level of inventory, and now it is necessary to digest the inventory, which will restrict the release of new orders. In addition, the demand for the "home economy" caused by the epidemic is also declining.

Attaches great importance to imports and will focus on three tasks

The Chinese government attaches great importance to imports and actively expands imports. According to customs data, in 2021, China's total imports will be 2.69 trillion US dollars, accounting for 11.9% of the world's imports. From January to August this year, China imported US$1.82 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 4.6%.

Li Xingqian, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Commerce, said that the Ministry of Commerce is working with relevant departments to continuously promote the expansion of the import of high-quality products around the world, and will focus on expanding the market opening, innovating the import promotion platform and giving full play to the import function of the exhibition.

Li Xingqian introduced that in recent years, my country has identified 14 import trade promotion innovation demonstration zones. These demonstration zones actively carry out policy innovation, effectively promote the deep integration of import trade with industry and consumption, and also form their own advantages and characteristics. At present, the expert team is reviewing a new batch of imported demonstration areas. After the demonstration area is added, it will further promote the competitive development of import trade across the country.

China is the only country that has hosted the International Import Expo. In the past three years, the turnover of each CIIE has exceeded 70 billion US dollars. Li Xingqian said that the Ministry of Commerce will continue to host the import exhibition area of the China International Import Expo, the Consumer Expo and the Canton Fair. Through these exhibitions, we will connect the world, buy and sell the world, and serve the world, so as to promote the entry of high-quality products from more countries into the Chinese market and share the opportunities of China's opening up and development. .

Detailed explanation of the foreign trade trend, "I am confident to achieve positive growth in the second half of the year"

Wang Shouwen said that our foreign trade itself has a relatively good foundation and policy support. Free trade agreements including RCEP are also playing a very important role in promoting the development of China's foreign trade.

According to customs data, from January to August, China's mechanical and electrical products accounted for 56.5% of its foreign trade exports, and the competitiveness of high-value-added and high-tech products was constantly reflected; from January to August, China's automobile exports increased by 57.6%, and solar energy Battery exports increased by 92.6%. This is a reflection of the relatively solid foundation and good competitiveness of the foreign trade industry. In addition, in August, China's exports to other RCEP member countries increased by 23%, which was 11.2 percentage points higher than the growth rate of overall foreign trade exports in August.

Since the beginning of this year, the State Council has issued a series of policies and measures to stabilize the economy and foreign trade, which have achieved good results. On September 13, the executive meeting of the State Council adopted a number of policy measures to support the stable development of foreign trade. On September 27, with the approval of the State Council, the Ministry of Commerce has officially issued the "Several Measures on Supporting the Stable Growth of Foreign Trade", which mainly include enhancing the ability to perform foreign trade contracts and further developing the international market; stimulating innovation and helping stabilize foreign trade; Three aspects of promoting the smooth flow of trade.

At the same time, all parts of the country also attach great importance to foreign trade work. Many provinces have introduced practical and effective supporting measures, established a "white list" system for foreign trade enterprises, and focused on supporting them. The competent commerce department conducts regular visits to some key foreign trade enterprises. One-to-one assistance, all of which are conducive to the steady growth of foreign trade.

"In general, foreign trade in the second half of the year is confident that it can achieve positive growth, and it is confident that through the growth of foreign trade, it will make a positive contribution to the recovery of the national economy." Wang Shouwen said.