MNI POLICY: Xi Promises Open Markets and Greater Consumption

     BEIJING (MNI) - China will further open up its market and let domestic

consumption play a fundamental role in economic development, President Xi

Jinping said in a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2nd China International

Import Expo (CIIE) today. 

     Here are notable points made by Xi:

     -China will boost imports by further lowering tariffs and administrative

costs while giving access to high-quality goods and services from other

countries. 

     -China will continue to encourage the experiment of its Free Trade Zone and

quicken the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port. 

     -China will continue to improve business environment, lower barriers for

foreign capitals and improve IP protection. 

     -China will facilitate free trade negotiations with E.U and with Japan and

South Korea and is open to more free trade pacts with other countries.

     -China will continue to push the Belt and Road Initiative. To date it has

signed cooperation documents with 137 countries and 30 international

organizations.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: archie.zhang@marketnews.com

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 10 8532 5998; email: william.bi@mni-news.com

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