At a news conference in Beijing, Liu Jieyi, spokesman for the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, stated that China will deepen high-level opening-up and accelerate free trade zone development to stabilize economic growth amid rising global uncertainties. He highlighted that China's economy demonstrated 'remarkable resilience and vitality' over the past year despite a complex external environment.
Liu Jieyi noted at Tuesday's news conference that China's gross domestic product exceeded 140 trillion yuan ($20.4 trillion) last year, marking a new milestone, with its growth rate among the highest of major economies. He pointed out that the deepening integration of technology and industry has driven a surge in innovation, with new quality productive forces gaining momentum.
During the just-concluded nine-day Spring Festival holiday—the longest on record—domestic tourism spending reached 803.4 billion yuan, an increase of 126.4 billion yuan from the previous year, underscoring the vitality of China's vast consumer market. While acknowledging certain deep-seated issues and emerging challenges in the economy, Liu emphasized that the country's solid foundation, multifaceted advantages, robust resilience, and immense potential remain intact.
He highlighted the Hainan Free Trade Port as a key platform for advancing trade and investment liberalization. The island-wide special customs operations launched late last year represent a landmark step in expanding high-standard opening-up and promoting an open world economy. These operations have significantly enhanced trade facilitation and strengthened links with international markets. During the Spring Festival holiday, offshore duty-free sales in Hainan rose 30.8 percent year-on-year, while the number of visa-free foreign arrivals increased 75.6 percent year-on-year, reflecting smoother cross-border flows of goods and people.
Liu described these developments as part of China's broader push for institutional opening-up, covering rules, regulations, management, and standards. 'China has always adhered to opening-up as a fundamental national policy. The door will not close; it will only open wider,' he said.
Over the past year, the CPPCC has conducted research on building a higher-standard open economic system, improving services for outbound investment, and advancing projects such as the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, aimed at enhancing the quality and efficiency of foreign trade and facilitating the 'dual circulation' strategy. China will remain committed to expanding high-level opening-up, promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and injecting greater certainty and positive energy into global development, while standing ready to share opportunities and cooperate with other nations for a better future.
