Anhui helps local exporters pivot to domestic market

East China's Anhui Province has rolled out an array of targeted measures to support foreign trade companies in coping with external challenges and accelerating their pivot to the domestic market.

To help exporters quickly gain a foothold in the home market, Anhui has led the creation of regional business alliances and organized matchmaking events to connect foreign trade firms with domestic buyers.

Local authorities are also leveraging digital platforms to fast-track market entry, introducing initiatives like live-streaming sales at factories to bridge supply and demand more efficiently.

In one supermarket in the provincial capital Hefei, a special sales zone for quality export goods has become a hit with shoppers. The supermarket chain behind the zone has launched eight such sections across Hefei and established partnerships with over 30 companies.

In Chuzhou City, officials are building databases of export-oriented firms and their products to drive efficient matchmaking.

A combined online and offline promotional push has helped unlock 1 billion yuan (more than 138 million U.S. dollars) in domestic demand so far this year.

"Our inventory of export products for the domestic market are from 375 companies. So far, over 250,000 home appliance transactions have been completed in Chuzhou, with appliance retail sales up 53.5 percent in the first quarter year on year, driving a 6.3-percent rise in total retail sales," said Guan Guisheng, deputy director of Chuzhou's Municipal Commerce Bureau.

While helping exporters tap into local demand, Anhui is also assisting them in their market diversification strategies.

With the summer months arriving, one air conditioner manufacturer in Chuzhou is receiving on-site visits from buyers from Brazil who are exploring deeper cooperation.

"We can see all the technology that they make their conditioner and all the things from house that they have," said Sophia, a Brazilian buyer.

Backed by the local commerce department, the company has gained traction in emerging markets such as South America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, through major expos like the Canton Fair, and online and offline retail partnerships.

Capitalizing on government subsidies for home appliances trade-in programs, the company has been able to redirect part of its production to meet growing domestic demand.

Currently, nine production lines of the company are operating at full capacity, with over 10,000 air conditioners being shipped to customers across China and over 30 countries and regions worldwide daily.

Anhui helps local exporters pivot to domestic market

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."

Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.

Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.

"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.

On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.

The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.

Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM