The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) newly-appointed senior resident representative in China said all the world's major economic powers should promote clear and transparent trade frameworks in order to reduce policy-induced uncertainty.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Marshall Mills, who has been in post since February, highlighted the increasing fragmentation of the global economy over the past few years and emphasized the importance of maintaining an open trading system.
"We would take a global approach to this and encourage the maintenance of open trading system. So, you mentioned fragmentation. The IMF has done research on this in previous World Economic Outlooks. And we found that it could be very costly and in particular hit smaller economies very hard. So, everyone has an interest in maintaining an open global trading system," he said.
Mills said that in the current environment of elevated trade tensions, uncertainty was weighing on the global economy.
"And in particular, trade tensions and trade barriers are costly not only directly, but indirectly due to uncertainty. This can be just as costly as the barriers themselves. So, we are encouraging all the major economic powers to address trade tensions and find trade settlements that lower trade barriers and maintain an open system," he said.
Mills said the IMF is also advising countries, including China, to prioritize fiscal consolidation in the medium term to ensure that public debt remains at a sustainable level.
"The IMF does advise a number of countries in the world to look at fiscal consolidation in the medium term to put public sector debt on a sustainable path. And that includes China in the medium term. While in the near term, some fiscal stimulus makes sense given weak domestic demand, there is a need in the medium term to have a fiscal consolidation consistent with growth and boosting demand to bring it on to a long-term sustainable path. So that's true of many economies in the world," he said.
IMF official calls on countries to promote clear, transparent trade frameworks
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
