Chong Quan, Deputy China International Trade Representative of the Ministry of Commerce, attended and addressed the symposium on trade friction situation analysis (hereinafter referred to as the Symposium) held by the Ministry of Commerce on November 20, in Beijing, China.

Mr. Chong pointed out that the 18th National Congress of CPC (hereinafter referred to as the Congress), which was just concluded, is a conference of vital importance being held at a decisive stage of China's entry into the completion of a well-off society in all respects. The report delivered at the 18th National Congress of CPC requires to “strengthen the macroeconomic policy coordination with major economies and solve economic and trade frictions properly through negotiation; stick to the equilibrium of rights and obligations, actively participate in global economic governance, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and oppose all forms of protectionism.” This Symposium held by the Ministry of Commerce is exactly an action of seriously studying and deeply understanding the spirit of the report, as well as resolutely implementing the requirements of the Congress by closely connecting with practice.

Mr. Chong said that with the world economic recovery showing a marked slowdown since this year, the downward pressure on domestic economy increased, and both domestic and overseas economic situations were extremely complicated. At present, China’s foreign trade development is restricted by various factors, mainly represented by insufficient overseas market demand, intensified international competition and resurgence of trade protectionism at this stage. In the meantime, China’s traditional advantages in foreign trade need to be further retained, and there is still room to continue optimizing the trade structure. Among others, unstable and uncertain factors of external environment for China’s foreign trade development increased as trade protectionism rose and trade friction increased, thus posing a serious threat to exports stabilization.

Chong Quan, together with domestic well-known experts and scholars who attended the Symposium, deeply analyzed the situation and characteristics of trade protectionism China is exposed to, and required relevant departments to further strengthen their liaison and coordination with the academia, enhance the research on such major economic and trade issues as concerning the overall situation, perspectiveness and regularity, innovate ideas and methods to handle trade frictions, and enhance the initiative to work.

Relevant departments and bureaus of the Ministry of Commerce as well as domestic famous experts and scholars attended the Symposium.