A recent event in Beijing marked the launch of the 2026 "Shared Market: Export to China" initiative, highlighting the country's commitment to boosting imports and achieving balanced growth in foreign trade. At a press conference held by the Ministry of Commerce on February 5, spokesperson He Yadong addressed topics including China's import expansion efforts and foreign investment trends. Customers were seen selecting global products at the inaugural event, underscoring the initiative's focus on market accessibility.
He Yadong emphasized that China places great importance on increasing imports. The Ministry of Commerce is actively implementing decisions by the central authorities to expand import volumes and diversify sources. In 2025, China's imports reached 18.5 trillion yuan, maintaining its position as the world's second-largest import market for the 17th consecutive year. Imports from over 130 countries and regions saw growth, with China now serving as a primary export destination for nearly 80 nations. Against the backdrop of challenges to economic globalization and rising unilateralism and protectionism, the "Export to China" series represents China's proactive steps to expand independent opening-up and promote global cooperation. He Yadong revealed that more than 100 diverse import promotion activities will be organized in 2026. Efforts will strengthen the linkage between "Export to China" and "Buy in China," creating more consumption scenarios for imported goods and ensuring high-quality products and services can effectively enter and thrive in the market.
Regarding further import expansion, He Yadong outlined a dual-drive strategy combining policy and activities to better unleash China's market potential. First, China will widen its openness by signing joint development partnership agreements and accelerating the implementation of zero-tariff measures on all tariff lines for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations. The country will also advance the signing or upgrading of free trade agreements and expand market access in an orderly manner. Second, policy empowerment will be enhanced through specialized measures to improve import trade facilitation, optimize the structure of import sources and regions, and foster positive interactions between imports, investment, and consumption. Third, innovative activities will continue, including the successful organization of the China International Import Expo and strengthening the "Export to China" brand with stronger measures to boost imports. He Yadong stressed, "China's door will only open wider. We hope countries worldwide will work with China to inject more certainty into the global economy."
Early 2026 has seen multiple foreign leaders visit China, yielding progress in investment cooperation. He Yadong noted that visits by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Canadian Prime Minister [Michele Carney], Finnish Prime Minister [Petteri Orpo], and British Prime Minister [Keir Starmer] have deepened mutual understanding and trust, opened broad avenues for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and boosted multinational companies' confidence in investing and expanding in China. In 2025, South Korean manufacturing investment in China grew by 14.1%, Canadian investment in high-tech industries increased by 11.7% year-on-year, Finnish manufacturing investment rose by 21.7%, and British investment grew by 15.9%. Recent surveys by the Canada-China Business Council, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the British Chamber of Commerce in China, and the American Chamber of Commerce in China indicate that most multinational companies still regard China as a primary investment destination and continue to increase their investments. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will steadily advance high-quality development, continue to expand high-level opening-up, firmly uphold the multilateral trading system, and strengthen mutually beneficial economic and trade relations with all countries, providing favorable expectations for the long-term development of foreign enterprises in China.
He Yadong added, "Next, we will deepen reforms in the foreign investment promotion system, continuously expand institutional opening-up, optimize the business environment, and swiftly build new advantages in attracting foreign investment. We aim to make China's vast market a global opportunity, ensuring foreign companies are willing to come, able to stay, and capable of thriving, becoming important participants in Chinese modernization."
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