China's position on Section 301 investigations consistent, opposes unilateral probes: Chinese representative

China’s international trade representative said on Monday that China's position on Section 301 investigations by the United States has been consistent, reiterating China’s opposition to such unilateral probes. The representative reaffirms China's commitment to a stable bilateral economic and trade relations which are beneficial to both countries and the world.

Li Chenggang, China international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce and vice minister of commerce, said that China will take timely measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

"Nonetheless, we still have noticed that the United States has introduced quite a few restrictive measures regarding China on trade and economic front, especially the recent launch of two Section 301 investigations, the target of such investigations include China. To that end, the Chinese side lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side and expressed our serious concern during this consultation. Our position of opposing unilateral U.S. Section 301 investigations has been consistent. We are concerned about the possible interference and damage that the result of such investigations might have on the hard-won stable China and U.S. economic and trade relations. And we will follow very closely the development of these investigations, take timely measures to safeguard China's legitimate rights and interests,” Li said at a briefing following the new round of China-U.S. economic and trade talks, which were held in Paris on Sunday and Monday.

Li highlighted that the stable bilateral economic and trade relations are beneficial to both countries and the world.

"In this round of consultations, China and the United States further recognize that a stable China-U.S. trade and economic relationship is good for both countries and beneficial to the world. We hope that the U.S. side could have good creditworthiness and honor its word and work together with China, pull in the same direction, to facilitate a long-term steady China-U.S. trade and economic relationship. Through this consultation, the two sides have already achieved some preliminary consensus on some of the topics and the two sides will continue to engage in consultations going forward,” said Li.

China's position on Section 301 investigations consistent, opposes unilateral probes: Chinese representative

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday stressed making solid progress in government work in 2026 and striving to make new contributions to advancing Chinese modernization.

Chairing the 11th plenary meeting of the State Council, Li said that the State Council and government departments must maintain strategic resolve, act more proactively, and take decisive, rapid and effective actions to fully implement the decisions and plans of the Communist Party of China Central Committee with higher standards.

To achieve higher standards, it is necessary to firmly seize the initiative in development, consistently strengthen the foundation for development and enhance economic resilience, and make persistent efforts to deliver solid results and breakthroughs, according to Li.

He underlined the full implementation of key tasks this year and during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), including further building a unified national market, promoting the expansion and upgrading of the service sector, and accelerating the development of a new generation of smart manufacturing.

Efforts should be made to advance major infrastructure networks, further invest in people and improve their well-being, and effectively respond to external shocks and challenges under the new circumstances, he said.

The premier also emphasized the need to conduct thorough education on fostering and practicing a correct understanding of governance performance and to integrate this education with the execution of government duties.

Chinese premier urges solid progress in government work in 2026