China firmly opposes U.S. tariff hikes on Chinese goods: commerce ministry

China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes U.S. abuse of Section 301 to hike tariffs on some Chinese goods, the Ministry of Commerce said Saturday.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative on Friday announced final modifications concerning the statutory review of the tariff actions toward China under Section 301.

China has repeatedly lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side concerning the Section 301 tariffs, said a spokesperson for the ministry.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has already ruled that the Section 301 tariffs violate WTO rules. However, instead of rectifying its wrongdoings, the U.S. side further increases tariffs on Chinese products, adding one mistake to another, said the spokesperson.

The move is a typical practice of unilateralism and trade protectionism, said the spokesperson, adding that it seriously undermines the international trade order, as well as the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

Moreover, the move not only fails to solve the United States' own problems concerning trade deficits and industrial competitiveness, but also pushes up prices of U.S. imports and forces U.S. companies and consumers to bear the additional costs.

The 2024 Report on WTO Compliance of the United States, which was released Thursday by the ministry, once again expressed serious concern over the U.S. abuse of Section 301, and pointed out that the United States is a "disrupter of global industrial and supply chains."

The U.S. side had previously sought public opinions on the results of the Section 301 tariff review. The majority of opinions either opposed the imposition of additional tariffs or requested broader tariff exemptions.

This shows the Section 301 tariffs are unpopular among the U.S. public, said the spokesperson.

The United States should rectify its wrongdoings immediately and remove all additional tariffs on Chinese goods, the spokesperson said, adding that China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the interests of Chinese enterprises.

China firmly opposes U.S. tariff hikes on Chinese goods: commerce ministry

China firmly opposes U.S. tariff hikes on Chinese goods: commerce ministry

China firmly opposes U.S. tariff hikes on Chinese goods: commerce ministry

China firmly opposes U.S. tariff hikes on Chinese goods: commerce ministry

China firmly opposes U.S. tariff hikes on Chinese goods: commerce ministry

The final match of "Village Basketball Association" Championship Tournament, an amateur rural basketball event that has become a nationwide sports phenomenon, was held on Friday in Taipan Village, Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province.

The Shandong Huidong Group team claimed the title after a 101-71 triumph over the team from Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Gansu Province.

The thrilling match lasted from afternoon to night, with basketball players from rural areas competing and demonstrating their skills, teamwork and passion, and tens of thousands of spectators from across the country cheering for the players.

"I've really felt how crowded this court is and how popular and hot the game can be. It's really exciting that we can experience country folk culture here," said Gao Qing, a spectator from Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province that is more than 3,000 kilometers away from Guizhou.

The championship tournament of "Village Basketball Association", or VBA -- a witty twist on North America's National Basketball Association -- is held annually in Taipan Village of Taijiang County in Guizhou's Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture as a part of rice harvest celebrations for local ethnic Miao people.

This year's tournament has involved more than 600 teams from across the country, of which eight played in the finals from Monday to Friday.

"All the fans would cheer for us no matter which team scores. It's really inspiring," said Wei Junjie, a player of Huxiang Village team from Bengbu City, east China's Anhui Province.

"It's a very good opportunity for us to learn from one another," said Chen Chen, a member of the runner-up team.

In addition to intensive basketball competitions, the court also hosted a karaoke, a concert and a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) show on the day to entertain the spectators.

Village basketball tournament concludes in southwest China’s Guizhou