The Zhitong Finance App learned that on October 29, the Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference. In response to media reports that the EU side is studying extending the trade understanding between China and Europe in the field of hybrid vehicles to chemical and other fields, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Huang Ling said that the recent second regular meeting of the Sino-European trade and investment consultation mechanism achieved positive progress and consensus on various outcomes, which shows that the two sides are not only willing, but also more capable and wise to settle economic and trade differences through dialogue and negotiation. The Chinese side has stressed many times that China is not the root cause of the EU's problems, but rather a partner in solving the problems. It is willing to strengthen dialogue and consultation with the European side, continue to discuss and resolve each other's economic and trade concerns, and promote the upward balance and development of Sino-European trade. However, China resolutely opposes any protectionist act that misuses trade defense tools. If the European side persists in its actions and imposes discriminatory restrictions on Chinese products, China will surely take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own interests and the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises.
Huang Ling said that artificially imposing restrictions on normal traders is suspected of violating WTO rules. Not only is it not beneficial to improving the competitiveness of the EU industry, but on the contrary, it will increase the burden on downstream industries, which in turn will push up the EU's level of inflation and affect the safety and stability of the global industrial chain supply chain.
The original text is as follows:
The Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference
[Huang Ling]: Dear journalists,
Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to the Ministry of Commerce's regular press conference. I have no information to share with you today, and I am willing to answer the questions raised by my reporter friends. Please ask questions below.
[Economic Reference Journal Reporter]: We noticed that in 6 days, the 9th CIIE will soon open in Shanghai. What is the current state of preparation? What are the highlights and highlights?
[Huang Ling]: The 9th China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum will be held at the same time. This is an important economic and diplomatic event held after the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. This week, the first batch of exhibits crossed the ocean and officially entered the museum, marking the final sprint stage of preparations for this year's fair. At present, all kinds of booths, such as national exhibitions, corporate exhibitions, and cultural exchange events, have been set up.
Here, we will also focus on “spoilers” on several aspects of this year's fair: First, it is large-scale, with 162 countries, regions, and international organizations participating. The overall exhibition area exceeded 440,000 square meters for the first time, and more good products from around the world will gather at the fair. Second, there are many premieres, and more than 480 representative innovations will be showcased. The “world premiere, Asian debut, and China premiere” have reached a record high, reflecting China's strong appeal as a global “innovation engine.” Third, participation is widespread. Overseas exhibition organizers have become a “new force” to participate in the exhibition. More than 90 overseas pavilions will appear this year, and the exhibition area will increase by nearly 8% over the same period last year. In addition, visitors to this year's CIIE registration and registration from all parties were active and enthusiastic. The schedule for about 80 supporting events was announced on CIIE's official website, and more than 1,300 organizations participated in cultural exchange events. Everyone is welcome to continue to follow and report on the “Good Things at the Expo” and exciting events. Thank you.
[International Business Daily Reporter]: Recently, 4 departments including the Ministry of Commerce issued the “Notice on Further Raising the Level of Trade Liberalization and Facilitation at the Hainan Free Trade Port”. Can you introduce the highlights of the “Notice”? How will it promote the innovative development of trade at the Hainan Free Trade Port?
[Huang Ling]: Since the customs closure and operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port on December 18, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce has actively supported Hainan in implementing customs clearance policies and promoting openness, innovation and development in trade and other fields, achieving new results.
The “Notice” issued by 4 departments including the Ministry of Commerce has three main highlights: the first is to innovate trade management models. For example, aviation kerosene entering Hainan bonded warehousing facilities from abroad and used for export can be tested according to international standards; another example is entrusting Hainan with administrative permits for foreign institutions to come to China to cooperate in hosting some foreign-related economic and technological exhibitions. The second is to respond to the demands of business entities. Enterprises are allowed to enter the domestic pilot free trade zone for products produced by bonded remanufacturing methods within the special supervision area of Hainan Customs. The third is to expand a high level of autonomous openness. Eligible overseas enterprises can use the bonded facilities at the Hainan LNG Terminal without registration in China; the validity period for foreign physicians to practice in Hainan has been extended from 1 year to 3 years, etc. These measures will further enhance the trade management and service capabilities of the Hainan Free Trade Port and drive the upgrading of related industries.
In the next step, the Ministry of Commerce will work with all relevant departments and Hainan Province to implement detailed policies and measures to better build a free trade port with Chinese characteristics. Thank you.
[Hong Kong Economic Report Reporter]: The 9th CIIE is about to be held. Can you tell me about the participation of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions in this year's CIIE?
[Huang Ling]: At present, preparations for this year's fair have been basically completed. Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan companies are actively participating in the exhibition, with outstanding highlights and improved quality and efficiency, fully demonstrating the good trend of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan being deeply integrated into the overall national development agenda.
At this year's fair, the number of Hong Kong exhibitors was nearly 400, a record high, with an exhibition area of nearly 36,000 square meters. Hong Kong's professional themed pavilions will be set up, focusing on advantageous areas such as food consumption and professional services, and the “Overseas Service Exhibition Area” will be set up for the first time to continue to use the CIIE platform to deepen economic and trade links between the two places and share opportunities in mainland and overseas markets.
The number of exhibitors in Macau was nearly 80, with an exhibition area of about 3,400 square meters, an increase of 52.6% over the previous year, a record high. The exhibition area will set up a “Commercial Exchange Exhibition Area” for the first time to focus on showcasing Macau's specialty food and drink, professional services, cultural tourism and trade resources, and will display high-quality products characteristic of Portuguese-speaking countries based on the positioning of the commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and continue to clear channels for economic and trade cooperation between the mainland, Macau and Portuguese-speaking countries.
The exhibition area of Taiwanese enterprises is about 4,200 square meters, an increase of 10.1% over the previous year, covering various fields such as food and daily chemicals, consumer goods, healthcare, precision manufacturing, and modern services. Many Taiwanese businessmen and Taiwanese enterprises continue to use the Expo as an important window to deeply cultivate the mainland market, share the dividends of openness, and actively integrate and serve to construct a new development pattern.
Also, on the afternoon of November 5, the Ministry of Commerce and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will host a special “Hong Kong Sub-Forum” at the 9th Hongqiao International Economic Forum. With the theme of “Connecting with the 15th Five-Year Plan, Serving the Development of the Country, New Opportunities for Hong Kong”, we actively support Hong Kong to give full play to its unique position and important role in connecting the world, continue to consolidate and enhance its position as an international financial, shipping, trade center and international aviation hub, and help Hong Kong turn the “Vision Map” of the first five-year plan into a “reality map” for development. Thank you.
[China Daily Reporter]: We have noticed that Peru issued a relevant decree on October 27 announcing that the Sino-Mexican FTA upgrade protocol will come into effect on November 1. What comments does the Chinese side have on this?
[Huang Ling]: The China-Peru Free Trade Agreement was signed in April 2009. It is the first comprehensive free trade agreement signed between China and Latin American countries. In November 2018, the two sides announced the commencement of negotiations to upgrade the Sino-Mexican FTA, which were substantially completed in June 2024. In November 2024, the two sides formally signed the Sino-Mexican Free Trade Agreement upgrade protocol. Through joint efforts, both sides have now completed their respective domestic procedures, and the upgrade protocol will officially enter into force on November 1. In the current international situation, this shows the determination of the two countries to jointly maintain multilateralism and free trade. The implementation of the upgrade protocol will promote the further development of Sino-Mexican economic and trade relations, enrich the content of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, create a more favorable business environment and trade and investment cooperation opportunities for enterprises of the two sides, and bring more practical benefits to the people of the two countries. Media friends are welcome to follow the report. Thank you.
[US International Market News Service Reporter]: According to media reports, the European Union is studying extending the trade understanding agreement reached between China and Europe in the field of hybrid vehicles to chemical and other fields. May I ask if the Ministry of Commerce has received formal communication from the European side on the relevant ideas? How do you see the possibility of extending such arrangements to other industries?
[Huang Ling]: Artificially imposing restrictions on normal traders is suspected of violating WTO rules. Not only is it not beneficial to improving the competitiveness of the EU industry, but it will increase the burden on downstream industries, thereby increasing the EU's inflation level and affecting the safety and stability of the global industrial chain supply chain.
The recent second regular meeting of the Sino-European trade and investment consultation mechanism achieved positive progress and consensus on many outcomes, showing that the two sides are not only willing, but also capable and wise to properly handle economic and trade differences through dialogue and consultation. The Chinese side has stressed many times that China is not the root cause of the EU's problems, but rather a partner in solving the problems. It is willing to strengthen dialogue and consultation with the European side, continue to discuss and resolve each other's economic and trade concerns, and promote the upward balance and development of Sino-European trade. However, China resolutely opposes any protectionist act that misuses trade defense tools. If the European side persists in its actions and imposes discriminatory restrictions on Chinese products, China will surely take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own interests and the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises. Thank you.
This article was selected from the “Ministry of Commerce” official website, Zhitong Finance Editor: Jiang Yuanhua.