Speakers:
Wang Wentao, minister of commerce
Wang Shouwen, vice minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative
Qian Keming, vice minister of commerce
Chairperson:
Chen Wenjun, head of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office
Date:
Feb. 24, 2021
Chen Wenjun:
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. China has entered a stage of high-quality development and is building a new development paradigm. The development of commerce plays a very important role in the building of this paradigm. Today, we are honored to be joined by Mr. Wang Wentao, minister of commerce; Mr. Wang Shouwen, vice minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative; and Mr. Qian Keming, vice minister of commerce. They will explain related issues and answer your questions.
Now, let's give the floor to Minister Wang Wentao.
Wang Wentao:
Thank you, Mr. Chen. Friends from the media, good afternoon. It's a great pleasure to meet with you. On behalf of the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), I would like to express my sincere thanks to friends from the media who have shown interest and supported us in the development of commerce.
The year 2020 was marked by a severe and complex international situation, and especially the coronavirus outbreak. Under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the MOFCOM coordinated COVID-19 responses with economic and social development, and took solid steps to ensure stability on the six fronts (employment, finance, foreign trade, foreign investment, domestic investment, and market expectations) and security in the six areas (jobs, daily living needs, food and energy, industrial and supply chains, the interests of market players, and the smooth functioning of grassroots government).
We have stabilized the overall performance of foreign trade and foreign investment, promoted the recovery of consumption, made new breakthroughs in multilateral and bilateral economic and trade relationships, and steadily developed commerce, which performed better than expected. These efforts have contributed to social and economic development in China.
This year, the MOFCOM will continue to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, accurately understand the new development stage, act on the new development philosophy, and accelerate the establishment of the new development paradigm. We will strive to achieve the high-quality development of commerce and make a good start on the new journey to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC with great achievements.
My colleagues, Vice Minister Wang Shouwen and Vice Minister Qian Keming, as well as myself, will now answer your questions.
