Local governments of east China's Shandong Province are stepping up efforts to help foreign trade enterprises to expand channels of domestic sales for their export-oriented products when external elements are trying to restrict their overseas marketing.
Over 300 foreign trade enterprises and more than 1,000 buyers from across China are gathering at an event in Jinan, the provincial capital, to promote export products' domestic sales, which opened in mid-May.
In a bid to streamline the domestic sales channels for foreign trade products, an efficient cooperation network was built with the government support, offering platforms for foreign trade businesses to shift their focus from exports to domestic market.
"We offer foreign trade companies the opportunity to enter the market within 24 hours. For products that are not up to the request of regulations with certain difficulties in, say, product labeling or barcodes, we will work with market supervision and food and drug regulatory departments to help them get these through quickly," said Xu Feng, president of Inzone Group Co., Ltd.
Not long ago, the Ministry of Commerce launched a nationwide campaign to promote quality foreign trade goods. Various regions have hosted events like exhibitions and consumption activities to display foreign trade products and connect supply with demand.
So far, over 9,000 foreign trade enterprises and buyers have participated, significantly boosting market confidence.
"China is a super huge market with a population of 1.4 billion, and our gross retail sales of consumer goods are close to 50 trillion yuan (about 6.96 trillion U.S. dollars). No matter how external situation changes, the domestic market remains a strong backing for foreign trade enterprises and the biggest cornerstone for them to cope with external shocks. We will continue to optimize the integration of domestic and foreign trade policies, help businesses switch smoothly between the two markets, and enhance their resilience and flexibility to better address external challenges," said Yang Mu, director of the Market Construction Department under the Ministry of Commerce.
Shandong helps export-oriented products expand home markets
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
