China brings import bonanza to world

BEIJING - Amid escalating protectionism and isolationism in some advanced economies, China is opening its door to the world with easier trade policies and increased import orders.

China will soon slash tariffs on imported consumer goods including pharmaceuticals and introduce easier access to imported advanced technology and key machinery parts, according to government sources.

These moves will help China achieve balanced trade, upgrade the domestic industrial chain, and boost technology innovation. It is also good for building an open, win-win world economy.

China's top leadership has pledged that the country will significantly lower import tariffs for vehicles this year. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of automobiles.

Zhao Ping from the research department of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade estimated that tariffs on imported automobiles could be reduced by 5 to 10 percent.

Substantial tariff reductions would significantly cut retail prices of imported automobiles and meet growing domestic demand, she said.

Consumer goods such as daily necessities are also at the forefront of tariff reductions.

According to Bai Ming with the research department of the Ministry of Commerce, less affluent economies seldom import consumer goods to protect domestic industries and balance international payment.

But when economies become richer, increased imports of consumer goods allow them to better take advantage of comparative advantages of other economies, he added.

China has always placed high priority on the imports of advanced technology and key machinery components.

Allowing more such products into China will enable the country to climb the ladder on the global value chain, making Chinese manufacturing stronger, Zhao said.

Actions have been taken.

Starting on January 1, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) lowered the import taxes on products including dobby or jacquard looms, cathode materials for power batteries, and raw materials for advanced medicine.

China will exempt import tariffs on 28 drugs including all cancer drugs from May 1, the MOF announced on Monday.

China has promised to import more than $10 trillion of goods and services in the next five years.

This year, China will host the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), showing its determination to open wider to the world and increase consumption in its fast-growing middle-income group.

More than 1,000 enterprises from over 120 countries and regions have signed up to attend the event slated for Nov 5 to 10 in Shanghai.