Chinese, US delegations hold economic, trade talks in Paris

The Chinese and U.S. delegations held talks on economic and trade issues on Sunday at the OECD headquarters in Paris.

The Chinese delegation, now on a trip to the French capital from Saturday to Tuesday, is led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

According to a China Global Television Network (CGTN) reporter on site, the closed-door meeting on the first day of talks lasted about 6.5 hours and that details are yet to be disclosed. The two delegations left the venue after the meeting.

China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Friday that, guided by the important consensuses reached between the heads of state of the two countries during their meeting in Busan and in previous phone conversations, the two sides would engage in consultations on economic and trade issues of mutual concern.

China launched the second event of its 2026 "Big Market for All: Export to China" campaign in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang on Sunday, as part of the country's broader push to expand imports and tap the purchasing power of its vast consumer market.

The three-day event, co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, is bringing together global brands, importers and consumers under one roof.

Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao attended the launch ceremony of the event and delivered an address.

More than 1,000 imported products are on display, from food and consumer goods to advanced industrial components.

The campaign aims to turn China's massive market into a gateway for global products, according to officials.

"The event highlights China's determination to independently expand unilateral and self-reliant opening-up. It is also China's active response to the needs of its global trading partners and our practical step to work together with them to grow the pie of international trade," said Xiao Lu, deputy director of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce.

Nearly 100 import-focused companies are taking part, showcasing products and exploring opportunities in China's fast-growing consumer market.

"We have selected popular product choices favored by Chinese tourists who have visited Egypt," said Cao Kezhen, chief representative for China at the CHIMENA (China-India-Middle East-North Africa) Business Council.

Starting from May 1, 2026, China will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, so many Egyptian businesses are eager to explore the Chinese market, Cao said.

New technologies are also helping bring overseas products closer to Chinese consumers.

"In recent years, China has introduced a range of policies to encourage imports. These measures allow Chinese consumers to buy quality products from around the world at competitive prices through cross-border e-commerce. Going forward, we plan to shift more focus onto the development of a digital supply chain from the traditional supply chain, customs declaration and inspection, logistics, warehousing and distribution," said Shan Li, chairman of High Store Tech, a supply chain service provider for global brands.

Sunday's event followed the inaugural gathering, which took place under the same theme in the national capital Beijing in February.