Red Star News:

As previously mentioned, the imports and exports of private enterprises maintained double-digit growth in the first quarter, continuing to play a leading role in China's foreign trade. What were the key achievements? What steps are planned to help private enterprises participate in international competition?

Wang Lingjun:

Thank you for your questions. In recent years, private enterprises have delivered remarkable results in foreign trade, continuously providing surprise and excitement. Mr. Lyu will provide more detailed information about this topic.

Lyu Daliang: 

Good afternoon, friends from the media! I am very pleased to share insights into the import and export performance of private enterprises in the first quarter. 

The imports and exports of private enterprises maintained strong momentum in the first quarter, achieving double-digit growth. Mr. Wang also mentioned this earlier. I believe that there are at least three aspects worth applauding and celebrating for private enterprises, which are as follows:

First, increased contribution. Looking at the number of market entities, about nine out of 10 foreign trade enterprises with import and export records are private enterprises. In terms of growth rates, the export and import growth rates of private enterprises are 4.8 percentage points and 7.8 percentage points higher, respectively, than the overall rate. The share of foreign trade volume accounted for by private enterprises in China's total imports and exports has increased to 54.3%, further cementing their principal role in stabilizing foreign trade. 

Second, the innovation capacity of private enterprises is becoming increasingly stronger. Private enterprises are the driving forces behind innovation and creativity, and they have become the largest importers and exporters of high-tech products in China. In the first quarter, imports and exports of high-tech products by private enterprises grew by 16.2%, 12.2 percentage points higher than the overall growth rate for similar products. Specifically, exports of ships and marine engineering equipment, and rail transportation equipment increased by 90.5% and 24.9%, and imports of high-end machine tools grew by 14.8%. Private enterprises have made significant contributions to accelerating the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces in foreign trade.

Third, private enterprises have increasingly diverse trading partners. Chinese private enterprises have fearlessly ventured into new markets and expanded their business to all corners of the world. They have established close trade connections with various countries, including Chile in South America, Norway in Northern Europe, and neighboring Southeast Asian countries. In the first quarter, private enterprises performed well in both traditional and emerging markets. Their imports and exports with the European Union, the United States, and Japan increased by 1.8%, 9% and 6.7%, respectively. Meanwhile, their imports and exports with ASEAN, Latin America, and Africa grew by 10.9%, 20.2% and 12.8%, respectively.

Overall, private enterprises have shown positive momentum and promising prospects in foreign trade. Next, customs will continue to work unswervingly both to consolidate and develop the public sector and to encourage, support, and guide development of the non-public sector, as well as fully implement the guidelines and their supporting measures on promoting the development of the private sector, with a focus on explaining policies for enterprises and further addressing prominent problems concerning market access, access to factors of production, impartial law enforcement, and protection of rights and interests. Through these efforts, we will continuously stimulate the endogenous motivation and innovative vitality of foreign trade companies, including private enterprises. Thank you.