China unveils key measures for high-quality foreign trade growth in 2026

China's Ministry of Commerce on Monday announced a series of targeted initiatives to drive high-quality development of foreign trade throughout 2026, aiming to further stabilize the trade sector and ensure a sound start for the country's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) for national socioeconomic development.

In response to a media inquiry on key measures for the year ahead, the Ministry of Commerce said that it will introduce a combined policy toolkit to help foreign trade firms reduce costs and improve efficiency. Central and local governments will coordinate to roll-out new policies and innovate support mechanisms in a timely manner.

To help enterprises access a wider range of global markets, the ministry said it will encourage participation in overseas exhibitions and organize a series of trade promotion activities. By providing businesses with up-to-date information and country-specific trade guides, authorities aim to connect domestic exporters with new international opportunities.

Transitioning to innovation, the ministry highlighted its commitment to accelerating transformation through technology.

"We will accelerate innovation-driven growth, guiding comprehensive cross-border e-commerce pilot zones to vigorously develop industrial clusters empowered by cross-border e-commerce, and supporting overseas warehouse enterprises in conducting intelligent upgrades. We will promote the empowerment of foreign trade development through artificial intelligence and enhance the level of digitalization of the entire trade chain," said Wang Zhihua, director of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce.

As part of the push toward more balanced trade, China will actively boost import growth alongside exports.

"We will strengthen the 'Export to China' brand, select annual partners for targeted engagement, and host a range of import promotion activities. Platforms such as the China International Import Expo will be leveraged to provide more valuable exhibition opportunities. National import promotion and innovation pilot zones, together with import-export chambers, will facilitate regional and industrial matchmaking to make it easier for quality products and services from around the world to enter China," Wang explained.

In terms of services, the ministry will further refine the negative list management system for cross-border service trade and advance orderly opening of the service market to foreign investment. There will be a particular focus on expanding exports of competitive producer services, and encouraging professional service providers in design, consulting, finance, accounting, and law to enhance their international capabilities. In addition, new measures will be introduced to stimulate inbound consumption.

Digital trade will also be a major focus in 2026.

"We will promote innovative development of digital trade. The construction of national digital trade demonstration zones will be launched. Standards related to digital trade will be formulated, with an emphasis on aligning domestic and international norms. We will drive the digital transformation of service outsourcing, nurture and strengthen digital trade entities, and continue to well host the Global Digital Trade Expo to provide a key platform for international cooperation and shared development among global exhibitors and buyers," said the senior official.

China unveils key measures for high-quality foreign trade growth in 2026

The United Nations (UN) discourages any efforts to retreat from commitments to addressing climate change, a UN spokesman said at a press briefing at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday.

In response to a media query regarding the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement for the second time, which is set to take effect on Tuesday, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, stressed the need for concerted efforts to cope with global climate challenges.

"It's important for us that all countries abide by their obligations to deal with climate change. It's a critical problem, and what is needed is collective action. So, we want to discourage any efforts to retreat from those commitments," he said.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty adopted at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on Dec 12, 2015. It's a landmark in the multilateral climate change process.

Donald Trump's first tenure as the president of the United States began on January 20, 2017. His administration officially let the United States exit the Paris Agreement in November 2020, dealing a major blow to international efforts to combat the climate crisis and drawing widespread criticism in the international community.

Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump in January 2021, signed an executive order after taking office to bring his country back into the accord.

However, Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the Paris climate accord for the second time on his first day back in the White House in January 2025.

The United Nations confirmed on January 28, 2025 that it had received the official notification from Washington of the withdrawal, adding it will take effect on January 27, 2026.

UN discourages any efforts to retreat from climate commitments: spokesman