Editor’s note: KhabarAsia’s First Voice provides instant commentary on breaking stories. The column clarifies emerging issues and better defines the news agenda, offering a Chinese perspective on the latest global events.
In 2024, the word “barrier” became a hallmark of Western policies toward China. Following the U.S. decision to impose additional tariffs of 25 percent to 100 percent on Chinese products ranging from critical minerals and solar panels to electric vehicles, Canada and the European Union swiftly followed suit, enacting hefty tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, upon his re-election win, announced plans to levy a 25 percent tariff on all goods imported from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10 percent tariff hike on all Chinese imports. Trump took to social media to warn the BRICS countries against any ambitions of creating new currencies or supporting alternatives to the U.S. dollar, threatening a staggering 100 percent tariff if they proceeded.
This steady drumbeat of protectionist policies from developed countries has cast a long shadow over global economic prospects. On December 2, 2024, Canadian logistics company Descartes Systems Group, together with British research agency SAPIO Research, released the 2024 Supply Chain Intelligence Report. Surveying nearly 1,000 supply chain leaders from major trading economies across North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and South America, the report revealed their biggest challenges in global trade—48 percent of respondents cited rising tariffs and trade barriers as their top concern.
While the West builds walls, China is opening its doors. As the world’s second-largest economy, the top manufacturing powerhouse, and a leading nation in trading goods, China has chosen a different path. By opening its doors wider to the world, China remains committed to dismantling protectionist barriers and ensuring the global economy grows stronger, more stable, and healthier.
Doors Open Wider
In recent years, despite the rising tide of anti-globalization in the West and increasing uncertainties amid geopolitical tensions, China’s resolve and confidence to expand its openness have remained steadfast. Not only has the pace of promoting high-standard opening-up continued unabated, but a series of groundbreaking initiatives has also been introduced and implemented.
The third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July 2024 made it clear that “Opening up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. We must remain committed to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world and continue to promote reform through opening up. Leveraging the strengths of China’s enormous market, we will enhance our capacity for opening up while expanding international cooperation and develop new institutions for a higher-standard open economy.”
Among the session’s key directives were “removing all market access restrictions in the manufacturing sector, and promoting wider opening with regard to telecommunications, the internet, education, culture, medical services, and other sectors in a well-conceived way.”
To turn these directives into action, the Central Economic Work Conference held on December 11 and 12 laid out a clear roadmap for further opening-up in 2025.
The plan includes expanding voluntary and unilateral opening up in an orderly manner; steadily enhancing institutional opening up; improving the quality and efficiency of pilot free trade zones and expanding mandates for reform tasks; accelerating the implementation of core policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port; actively developing trade in services, green trade, and digital trade; steadily promoting the opening up of the service industry, expanding pilot projects in the fields of telecommunications, medical care, and education; and continuing to build the “Invest in China” brand. Additionally, it emphasizes deepening and implementing high-quality Belt and Road Initiative cooperation and improving the comprehensive overseas service system.
In recent years, China has taken bold and proactive steps to build new high-standard platforms for opening-up, and the results speak for themselves. The country’s commitment to openness not only bolsters its own economy but also injects much-needed vitality into the global market.
As the world grapples with economic uncertainties and the challenges posed by protectionism, China’s unwavering dedication to openness offers a beacon of hope. By fostering collaboration, reducing barriers, and promoting mutual growth, China is playing a pivotal role in steering the global economy toward a more prosperous and inclusive future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
