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Sylvia Ma

Premier Li Qiang has called on China’s foreign trade enterprises to enhance their “ability to combat storms” amid mounting external challenges linked to increased American tariffs.
“The current foreign trade situation is complex and severe,” Li said at a symposium with enterprise representatives during an inspection tour of the southeastern province of Fujian from Tuesday to Thursday.
“We must remain committed to opening up … unite, and face challenges together – continuously enhancing our ability to combat storms.”
He also urged firms to actively diversify their markets, innovate trade channels, boost product competitiveness and speed up the integration of domestic and foreign trade, Xinhua reported on Thursday.
Li’s comments came as China’s exports – one of the key growth drivers for the world’s second-largest economy – face mounting pressure, with the outlook for trade clouded by increased United States tariffs on imports from China since US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, and the threat of more to come.
At the symposium, Li said private companies were the largest contributor to China’s foreign trade.
“Governments at all levels should implement the spirit of the private enterprise symposium [in Beijing last month], providing stronger policy support and a better business environment,” he said, while encouraging private entrepreneurs to embrace the “strive to win” spirit.
Beijing has doubled down on its commitment to supporting the private economy – including in the government work report delivered at the annual “two sessions” – since President Xi Jinping’s high-level symposium with business heads last month, which was widely seen as a show of support for the private sector.


Li toured some prominent enterprises during his visit to Fujian, including Anta Sports, China’s largest sportswear maker, Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Company, and selfie app operator Meitu.
In the ancient port city of Quanzhou, Li urged Anta Sports to “step up efforts in research and development, strengthen its brand, and win market favour with better products” amid shifting external conditions.
Customs data showed China’s export growth slowed in the first two months of the year compared with the end of last year – when factories rushed to front-load shipments before Trump could raise tariffs on Chinese goods – with the country’s exports seeing a modest 2.3 per cent year-on-year rise in January and February.
Foreign trade companies should strengthen collaboration and avoid “disorderly competition, particularly in the form of homogeneous, low-price rivalry”, Li emphasised during a visit to a cross-border e-commerce service centre.
He also called for enhanced full-chain services, streamlined regulations, and greater customs efficiency to better support foreign trade enterprises during a visit to the Jinjiang dry port in Quanzhou.
During his tour of Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering’s operations in Xiamen, the premier said the country will further open up the services sector, align with high-standard international trade rules and leverage free-trade zones.
The country will also “step up efforts to attract and retain foreign investment” and “improve the business environment to better support foreign enterprises”, he added.


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Premier Li Qiang also pledges more government support for private sector during inspection tour of Fujian province


Premier Li Qiang also pledges more government support for private sector during inspection tour of Fujian province.


China’s premier tells foreign trade enterprises to be ready to ‘combat storms’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Premier Li Qiang also pledges more government support for private sector during inspection tour of Fujian province

Premier Li Qiang also pledges more government support for private sector during inspection tour of Fujian province