China urges the United States to settle trade differences via equal dialogue, said an official of the country's General Administration of Customs (GAC) on Monday.
At a press conference in Beijing, Wang Lingjun, deputy head of the GAC, responded to questions related to ongoing trade tensions between the two countries.
He said China-U.S. trade kept growing in the first three months of this year despite challenges posed by U.S. tariff policies, with the import and export volume increasing by four percent to reach 1.11 trillion yuan (about 152.2 billion U.S. dollars).
Wang attributed the growth to the strong internal dynamics driving trade between the two countries, noting that their economic relationship is built on mutual benefit and shaped by the inherent principles of economic laws.
However, he also emphasized that the U.S. misuse of tariffs on its trading partners under various pretexts will inevitably exert negative impacts on global trade, including trade between China and the United States.
"The United States' so-called 'reciprocal tariffs' subvert the existing international economic and trade order, and place the interests of the U.S. above the public interests of the international community. This is a typical act of tariff bullying, which seriously violates the rules of the World Trade Organization, severely undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system, and heavily impacts the stability of the global economic order," said Wang. "What the U.S. government has done has aroused widespread opposition across the world. China has resolutely taken countermeasures and will continue to work with all parties to oppose U.S. tariff bullying and hegemony, as well as jointly defend the multilateral trading system and economic globalization. We urge the U.S. to immediately correct its wrongdoings and resolve trade differences through equal dialogue, in accordance with the principle of mutual respect," Wang stressed.
China urges U.S. to resolve trade differences via equal dialogue
The 7th Xinjiang Spring Tourism Expo opened Friday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a strong international turnout from Belt and Road countries and beyond.
Themed "Silk Road Charm, Springtime Xinjiang," the three-day event brought together over 600 cultural and tourism entities from China and abroad. It marked a new high in both scale and foreign participation.
The Belt and Road Initiative, launched by China in 2013, is a global development strategy that seeks to enhance trade and infrastructure links across Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond.
The expo drew professionals from across the industry, with travel agencies, hotels and outdoor brands rolling out discounts. Companies from Kazakhstan, Australia and other countries set up booths to tap the vast Chinese market and explore cooperation opportunities along the Belt and Road.
"We are from Kyrgyzstan. This exhibition helps us to build good bridges and good opportunities to improve [share] our culture to the world," said Cholpon Satykeeva, manager of a Kyrgyz traditional clothing studio.
"There's an old Chinese saying: 'A good neighbor is better than gold.' With the Belt and Road Initiative and the 30-day visa-free policy between China and Kazakhstan, we've seen a huge increase in Chinese visitors. We hope to connect with more travel agencies here and work together," said Zhenis Ayan, manager of a Kazakhstan-based travel agency.
Meanwhile, matchmaking events are underway at the expo, driving smart tourism and lifting product standards.
"We've also signed cooperation agreements with more than 140 travel agencies. The expo has been a great success for us. Moving forward, we hope to use this platform to help boost Xinjiang's high-quality development," said Jia Jin, head of the Promotion Department with the Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture Tourism Bureau in Xinjiang.
The expo is delivering real benefits for tourists, from purchasing high‑quality outdoor gear at factory prices to securing early‑bird deals on specialty tour routes.
Attendees are also immersing themselves in Xinjiang’s cultural charm through interactive intangible heritage experiences at the expo.
"After walking around, I was the most deeply impressed by this section. It was my first time seeing such craftsmanship. It was a pleasant surprise," said Shao Changjun, a visitor.
As the expo continues, Xinjiang is positioning itself as a hub for Belt and Road tourism, using international cooperation, cultural exchange and smart tourism initiatives to drive high-quality development and expand its global reach
7th Xinjiang Spring Tourism Expo opens with strong int'l turnout
