Chinese authorities pledge stronger support for exporters amid external challenges

China's Ministry of Commerce pledged stronger measures to help export-oriented enterprises navigate a complex international trade environment and expand overseas markets during a round-table discussion with industry representatives on Monday.

Chaired by Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing, the meeting brought together representatives from 12 foreign trade firms, six major import-export associations, and experts from the Academy of Macroeconomic Research to discuss the current foreign trade landscape and policy support for exporters.

Noting that the central authorities attach great importance to foreign trade, Wang acknowledged that foreign trade faces a complex and grave situation this year, with intensifying external shocks. Despite these difficulties, the minister emphasized that China's foreign trade has maintained stable operations while demonstrating resilience.

He condemned recent U.S. tariff hikes as "unwarranted," stressing China's countermeasures have "defended national interests, upheld international fairness and justice and earned global respect."

Wang highlighted that the China-U.S. high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs held last week in Switzerland has led to significant consensus and substantive progress, paving the way for bridging differences and deepening cooperation.

He said the ministry will coordinate domestic economic efforts with international economic and trade challenges, and work with relevant government departments to help foreign trade enterprises overcome difficulties, provide more support to facilitate their market expansion and promote the stable development of foreign trade.

Officials from other department including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Financial Regulatory Administration also responded to specific concerns and suggestions raised by businesses.

Representatives from participating companies and organizations said they are confident in their ability to weather external shocks and maintain stable business growth.

Chinese authorities pledge stronger support for exporters amid external challenges

The Global Mayors Dialogue opened in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Tuesday, bringing together mayors and senior city officials from across Europe, Asia, and North America to have in-depth exchanges on practical approaches to developing the ice and snow economy.

Held under the theme "Connecting the World with Ice and Snow, Win-Win Cooperation for a Shared Future", the three-day event gathered mayors, deputy mayors, and mayoral representatives from cities across the globe, including Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Türkiye, focusing on the ice and snow economy, cultural integration, smart city development, heritage preservation, and urban governance.

The event featured a main dialogue and a scenario-based dialogue salon to foster in-depth exchanges and spark new ideas. Guests are invited to visit iconic sites such as the Harbin Ice and Snow World and attend the opening ceremony and trade events of the Harbin Ice and Snow Economy Expo, which are showcasing Harbin's achievements in building an ice and snow economy brand, strengthening international exchanges and cooperation, and inheriting ice and snow culture.

Harbin, called China's "ice city", has turned its long, cold winters into a major tourist attraction. Last winter, it welcomed a record 90.36 million visitors, generating 137.22 billion yuan (about 19.44 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue, a year-on-year increase of 16.6 percent.

International mayors gather in Harbin to explore ice and snow economy