Nigeria Times

By Wang Guan, People’s Daily

WhenAzim, a tourist from Pakistan, visited Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong province, with his friends, he was impressed not only by the iconic Canton Tower and other city landmarks, but also by how easy it was to shop and save.

“With the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, traveling to Guangzhou has become incredibly convenient,”he said.

Beyond sightseeing, Azim and his friends also made their way to the bustling Tianhe Road Business Circle for shopping.

“I didn’t expect to receive a tax refund on a pair of shoes, and to get the money back right there in the store!” At a Chinese sportswear shop, Azim purchased a pair of sneakers priced at around 300 yuan ($41.79). With assistance from store staff, he uploaded his passport details via an app, linked his credit card, and submitted the tax refund form and receipt. Moments later, he received a refund of over 30 yuan.

Recently, China unveiled a set of measures to further optimize its departure tax refund policy to meet overseas tourists’ needs better and expand inbound consumption.

The minimum purchase threshold for departure tax refunds has been lowered, allowing overseas travelers to apply for a refund if they spend at least 200 yuan at the same store on the same day and meet other relevant requirements, according to a circular jointly issued by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and five other government departments.

These new policies have already been implemented in multiple regions, generating enthusiasm for consumption among foreign visitors.

During the recent May Day holiday, China UnionPay and NetsUnion Clearing Corporation reported that the number of payments made by overseas visitors to China jumped 244.86 percent year on year, with the total value of these transactions rising 128.04 percent.

“These measures have encouraged overseas travelers to buy lower-priced goods like local specialties, cultural and creative products, and souvenirs, expanding the scope of eligible purchases and promoting small-ticket consumption and shopping frequency,” explained Wang Tingting, associate professor with the Economic Law School of Southwest University of Political Science and Law.

At the same time, the upper limit for cash refund has been raised to 20,000 yuan, providing travelers with greater liquidity. While ensuring proper risk management, refunds will be made available through multiple channels, including mobile payments, bank cards and cash, to better accommodate the diverse payment preferences of overseas travelers.

In early April, China’s State Taxation Administration rolled out a “refund-upon-purchase” policy. Under the new policy, foreign visitors can instantly claim value-added tax (VAT) rebates at tax-free stores, enabling them to reuse the refunded amount in real time for further shopping. Previously, VAT rebates were only available for withdrawal upon departure.

“Lowering the refund threshold stimulates small and mid-sized purchases, while the refund-upon-purchase policy shortens the refund cycle. This creates a virtuous loop of ‘spend-refund-spend again,’ encouraging repeatedconsumption and delivering tangible benefits to overseas travelers,” said Wang.

At a store in southwest China’s Chongqing municipality, a tourist from the Philippines purchased a smartphone manufactured by Chinese tech giant Huawei. “I’ve always been interested in tech products, and Chinese electronics are both high-quality and very popular back home,” he said.

From iconic Chinese goods like tea, silk, and traditional clothing to high-tech items like smartwatches, cameras, and smartphones, the growing diversity of products is attracting more international shoppers and expanding the global presence of Chinese brands.

The Sundan store MixC shopping mall in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, which sells home appliances, is among the first in the city eligible for departure tax refund. “In the first four months of this year, we saw a 500 percent year-on-year increase in tax refund transactions. Thanks to continuous improvement of the departure tax refund policy, our overseas customers have benefited a lot,” said store manager Wang Yali.

In the first quarter of this year, departure tax refunds issued in Shenzhen grew by nearly 150 percent compared to the same period last year, accounting for 40 percent of the city’s full-year total in 2024.

“It was incredibly fast!” said a tourist from Singapore, who bought a 200-yuan UV-protective jacket at the Parkson Shopping Center on Chunxi Road in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan province.

“After a customer pays, we issue a value-added tax invoice, then log into the departure tax refund information system. The invoice information is automatically populated, so there’s no need for manual entry. After the details are confirmed, we print out the refund application form,” explained Xiao Chunmei, a store manager at the Parkson Shopping Center. “The upgraded system has made things easier for both shoppers and retailers.”

Under the refund-upon-purchase model, overseas travelers can receive their refunds during the shopping process. Enhanced tax refund management systems have acceleratedprocessing and reduced wait times. Every step — from payment and invoicing to refund application and verification — has become more efficient and convenient.

According to China UnionPay, three tax refund options are currently available: via UnionPay card, through the UnionPay mobile app, or by manually entering card information. These services are available at both airports and in-city retail outlets participating in the refund-upon-purchase program. Refunds can be credited directly to UnionPay cards issued overseas, often within seconds.

In addition, China UnionPay is working to expand QR code-based tax refund services byenabling more of its international wallet partners to offer the option, further simplifying the process for global users.

By Ma Ruishan, People’s Daily

Liang Pingping, a resident of Hanzhuang village, Fangshan county, north China’s Shanxi province, laid pale-faced on herbed. Village doctor Chen Yan took out an electrocardiogram device from his diagnostic kit to examine her. Through real-time data transmitted to a remote screen, Beijing-based specialist Feng Pu quickly advised: “Get to a major hospital for a cardiac enzyme test immediately!” Thanks to the timely diagnosis, the patient made a full recovery.

This diagnosis was facilitated by a “Mobile Hospital” initiative, jointly launched by Fangshan county and the China Primary Health Care Foundation. The project equips every rural doctor in the county with a diagnostic kit, enabling remote expert consultations and comprehensive checkups. It supports early disease detection and remote guidance for emergency care.

So far, all 90 village clinics in Fangshan have conducted more than 16,000 remote consultations, serving over 370,000 patients, covering 53% of the county’s permanent population. The initiative has saved patients nearly 10 million yuan in medical and travel expenses.

Since its launch in 2018, the “Mobile Hospital” has been rolled out across multiple provinces, benefiting more than 20 million people.

How does this initiative bring about a big leap in primary healthcare in Fangshan?

It offers good experience by setting up a dispatch platform. When patients scan a code to request medical service, the platform assigns the closest village doctor based on location, ensuring full coverage for every village.

It mobilizes resources from all sides. The program provides free access to remote consultation with top-tier specialists from renowned hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities. Village doctors can initiate video consultations, significantly lowering both time and cost for patients.

It comes with robust incentive mechanisms. The local government has created a special fund to reward village doctors who detect early signs of serious illness. This encourages them to conduct proactive home visits, reinforcing village clinics as the frontline of rural health protection.

Healthcare is a fundamental pillar of people’s well-being, and having quality care available close to home is a basic yet important wish for millions of patients.

In recent years, China has worked to reorient the focus of its healthcare system toward the grassroots level through policies like hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system and the development of medical consortium. These efforts have helped ease problems such as uneven distribution of medical resources and weak primary care capacity.

Leveraging telemedicine partnerships and digital technologies to deliver embedded services has increasingly proven to be both effective and practical for expanding access to quality care.

The benefits of data integration and resource sharing go well beyond healthcare.

At Shihezi University in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, students conduct analog electronics experimentsthrough remote laboratory accesswith Xidian University in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi province. At Henan Agricultural University in central China’s Henan province, an online collaboration platform links experts, provides training, and connects farmers to markets—allowing growers hundreds of kilometers away to receive customized technical advice through “screen-to-screen” interaction.

Whether it’s access to education, elder care, early childhood development, or medical treatment, China’s digital and intelligent technologies are bearing fruit, broadening the reach and equity of quality public services.

By Kuang Xixi, People’s Daily

On May 19, Chinese President Xi Jinping toured the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, central China’s Henan province, to learn about local efforts to enhance the protection and utilization of historical and cultural heritage and promote the high-quality development of the cultural and tourism sector.

The Longmen Grottoes trace their origins to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), when Emperor Xiaowen relocated the capital to Luoyang. Excavation continued through successive dynasties — including the Eastern Wei Dynasty (534-550), the Western Wei Dynasty (535-556), the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557), the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The grottoesstand as a testament to the craftsmanship and devotion of countless artisans. Today, the site encompasses more than 2,300 caves and niches, over 2,800 inscriptions, and nearly 110,000 Buddhist statues — bearing witness to a profoundcultural legacy.

Drawing on the artistic traditions of Indian cave temples and building upon the elegance of the Yungang Grottoes in north China’s Shanxi province, the Longmen Grottoes bring together the style of Northern Wei sculptures and the majestic aesthetic of TangDynasty carvings. The result is a harmonious convergence of artistic traditions — a brillant expression of Eastern aesthetics that continues to captivate global audiences.

In recent years, China has made significant strides in preserving and revitalizing grotto temples. From structural reinforcement and environmental management to digital preservation and monitoring, a range of innovative practices have been made.

At the Longmen Grottoes, high-resolution 3D scanning and printing techniques are being used to virtually reconstruct scattered artifacts and restore damaged sculptures, seamlessly integrating fragments through digital technology. A smart digital twin platform brings cultural relics to life online, allows visitors to interact with virtual replicas. The focus has expanded beyond preservation — heritage is being reimagined as a dynamic narrative, shared through immersive storytelling and innoavtion.

The grottoes, however, are just one piece of Luoyang’s broader cultural preservation. Renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, the city is captivating global visitors with its history and creative approaches to cultural expression. Ithas made great strides in transforming the deep historical legacy into a vibrant contemporary experience.

Drawing from over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, 4,000 years of urban history, and 1,500 years as an imperial capital, Luoyang is positioning itself as a “City of Museums in the East,”with more than 100 museums and memorial halls chronicling its evolution.

Digital technology is reviving the past in vivid detail. Scenes of ancient canal transport along a grand canal built during the Sui and Tang dynasties are being reimagined through interactive digital displays. Mobile applicationsallow users around the world to virtually explore the Longmen Grottoes, while technologies like virtual reality bring Buddhist niches back to life. Meanwhile, creative experiences such as overnight stays in museums that combine immersive role-play with cutting-edge technology are redefining how people engage with cultural heritage. In Luoyang, cultural tourism has become not just popular, but fashionable.

Ancient cities and historic streets, long viewed as vessels of history, are increasingly recognized as valuable resources in the cultural economy. Across China, cultural tourism is becoming a powerful driver of economic growth. In Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu province, the integration of industry, urban lifestyles, and traditional culture is producing tangible results. In Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province, a modern identity has taken root — where centuries-old charm meets digital-age influencers and innovation.

By enriching cultural offerings and reimagining the tourism experience, Chinese cities are composing modern chapters in the grand narrative of their historical legacies. The story of Luoyang — and of many ancient capitals — is far from over. It is being told anew, with creativity, technology, and a renewed sense of purpose.

By Ding Yiting, Hou Linliang, Wang Jintao, People’s Daily

China’s first “wind-solar-thermal-storage integration” ultra-high voltage (UHV) project, the Longdong-Shandong ±800 kilovolt direct current (DC) transmission project, was put into operation on May 8.

Developed by the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), the project stretches 915 kilometers from Qingyang in the wind-swept province of Gansu to Tai’an, east China’s Shandong province. Designed to deliver 36 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually — enough to power over 10 million households — the line will transmit a blend of renewable and conventional energy, with half of that electricity coming from clean sources.

The project functions like a high-speed expressway for power: direct, high-capacity, low-loss, and highly efficient. Backed by an investment of 20.2 billion yuan ($2.8 billion), it can deliver electricity generated in Gansu to Shandong in just three milliseconds, faster than the blink of an eye.

Gansu, long known for its wealth of wind and solar resources, now sees renewables accounting for over 60 percent of its total installed capacity — second only to one other province in China. With the rapid growth of clean energy production,the need for a strong and flexible grid has become urgent. The new UHV line will enable the stable transmission of over 10 million kilowatts of renewable power, facilitating the coordinated flow of energy across regions.

At the heart of the project is a vast energy base run by China Huaneng Group, a major state-owned power company.According to Chairman Wen Shugang, the project demonstrates how different forms of energy can work in tandem to maximizeefficiency.Even the thermal power component is also transitioning to cleaner and more efficient generation. One standout effort is the construction of the world’s largest carbon capture demonstration facilityat a coal-fired plant, with aprojected annual capture capacity of 1.5 million tons.

Much of the project’s success hinges on advances in grid technology. Yang Pengcheng, deputy director of the converter station department of SGCC’sUHV Division, noted that the line is the first in China to deploy a range of homegrown switchgear, control systems, and protection equipment — each developed with independent intellectual property rights. These systems have endured intensive tests under high voltage and large currents, helping fortify China’s foothold in advanced transmission equipment manufacturing.

Among the most significant innovations is the use of domestically produced on-load tap changers for converter transformers — critical devices that modulate voltage much like a car’s gear shifter. During periods of peak demand, they can rapidly boost voltage to stabilize the grid; when renewable energy generation spikes, they can lower voltage to prevent overloads, ensuring steady, efficient power flow along the “expressway.”

“Each tap changer contains over 1,000 components and performs eight precise actionsper switch,” said Li Shiwei, general manager of the grid construction division of China’s State Grid Gansu Electric Power Co., Ltd. “More than 400 components must work together with millisecond precision for every operation. Until now, only a few foreign firms had the capacity to supply such reliable systems. Now we can do it ourselves.”

Other breakthroughs includeself-developed DC control and protection systems built with Chinese chips. According to Han Qi, head of the construction department at China’s State Grid Shandong Electric Power Company, these systems act as the “safety commanders” of the transmission network, monitoring transmission lines in real time and automatically cutting off dangerous current flows when abnormalities arise. The domestically developed chip used in these systems is no bigger than a fingernail but completes two billion calculations per second — twice as fast as comparable imported chips — reducing system response time down to milliseconds.

The Longdong-Shandong project also marks the debut of China’s standardized technology for UHVDC transmission at ±800 kilovolts and 8 million kilowatts. Several similar projects are now underway across China.

According to Yang, the project developed over 550 sets of standardized technical documents, more than 5,500 design drawings, and contributed to the drafting or revision of one international standard, nine industry standards, and 100 corporate standards.

“With standardized parameters, future UHV projects can be assembled like LEGO blocks,” Yang said. “Modular, plug-and-play solutions will streamline design, equipment installation, and construction — cutting construction time by around 30 percent and maintenance costs by about 25 percent.”

To date, SGCC has completed 39 UHV transmission projects — 22 AC and 17 DC — establishing the largest UHV power transmission network in the world. Capable of transmitting more than 340 million kilowatts of electricity across provinces and regions, the system provides robust support for energy supply and China’s transition to green, low-carbon development.

By Shi Yuanhao, People’s Daily

At the foot of Cayambe volcano in Ecuador — where the equator meets the Andes — workers at rose farm Hoja Verde begin their day at 6 a.m., harvesting flowers bound for markets around the globe. The region, one of Ecuador’s most productive rose-growing areas, is dotted with such farms, supported by the country’s high altitude, abundant sunlight, and favorable climate.

“Ecuador’s natural conditions give our roses exceptional quality,”said Hernan Davila, sales manager at Hoja Verde. “They’ve been in high demand in China for years.”

From the moment each stem is cut, the race is on to deliver fresh roses to consumers. Workers quicklydisinfect and package the flowers before loading them onto trucks bound for the airport. There, boxes are stored in refrigerated containers at temperatures between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius before being flown overseas.

During peak seasons, roughly 30 flights depart daily from Quito, Ecuador’s capital, carrying fresh-cut roses across the world. A typical shipment to Beijing involves two transfers and takes about 40 hours. With the support of a “green channel” for fresh-cut flowers, customs officials in China offer expedited processing and round-the-clockinspection services. From harvest to customs clearance, the journey takes just 1.5 hours — and within three days, Ecuadorian roses can travel from farm to vase in the hands of Chinese consumers.

The surge in Ecuadorian rose exportsto China underscores the growing strength of bilateral trade ties. China has long been Ecuador’s second-largest trading partner and the top destination for its non-oil exports. On May 1, 2024, the free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries officially came into force. Approximately 90 percent of the products traded between China and Ecuador will be exempted from tariffs.

Besides, tariffs on Chinese imports of products like bananas, white shrimp, fish, fish oil, flowers, cocoa, and coffee from Ecuador will be reduced to zero from the current rates of between 5 percent and 20 percent.

According to Beijing customs, since the agreement took effect, customs officers at Beijing Capital International Airport have cleared 128 shipments of Ecuadorian roses — totaling some 500,000 stems and over 40 metric tons of fresh-cut flowers.

“Since Chinese Valentine’s Day is celebrated on different dates from those in many other countries, China has become animportant off-seasonmarket for Ecuadorian roses,” said Andres Mancero, head of Valdani Trading, a long-time exporter to China. Having lived in China for several years, Mancero sees immense potential in the market. “As tariffs on fresh-cut flowers gradually fall to zero, Ecuadorian roses will become even more price-competitive,” he noted.

“The agreement has helped us save nearly 60,000 yuan ($8,306) in tariffs and related costs so far,” said Wang Lei, head of a Beijing-based foreign trade company. “Roses from Ecuador are now one to two yuan cheaper per stem, making them more accessible to Chinese consumers.”

The impact of the FTA has been felt more broadly across trade figures. According to China’s General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade between China and Ecuador reached $3.915 billion in the first quarter of this year, a 34.17 percent increase year on year. Chinese imports from Ecuador totaled $2.339 billion, up 42.8 percent from the same period last year.

The National Aquaculture Chamber of Ecuador reported that white shrimp, the country’s top export to China, generated $280 million in sales in January this year alone, a year-on-year increase of 25 percent.

On its official website, Ecuador’s Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment and Fisheries described the FTA with China as “a strategic opportunity,” highlighting China’s role as the world’s largest food importer.

“Ecuador produces high-quality seafood, fruits, and grains,” said Mancero. “Meanwhile, Chinese consumers are becoming increasingly open to premium imported goods. We hope to expand from roses to other sectors.” Exporters of quinoa, blueberries, and pineapples are already applying for the necessary plant quarantine and sanitary certification in China in hopes of benefiting from the new tariff exemptions.

In February this year, Ecuador sent its first zero-tariff shipment of canned tuna to China. “China has an enormous demand for premium seafood. Ecuadorian tuna has the potential to become as popular as our shrimp,” said Ricardo Herrera, head of Tecopesca, a company involved in Ecuador’s tuna exports to China.

Herrerabelieves the trade agreement will offer consumers in both countries more diverse choices and foster shared prosperity.

“Many Ecuadorian growers of yellow dragon fruits and blueberries are now using supplemental lighting systems made in China to boost yield and quality,”said Zhang Pengxiang, a board member of the Ecuador-China Chamber of Commerce. As tariffs on Chinese machinery, electronics, vehicles, and components continue to fall, Chinese products are playing an increasingly important role in Ecuador’s push for industrial modernization.

By Shi Fang, Pan Junqiang, People’s Daily

As early summer unfolds, the Badaling section of the Great Wall is in full verdure. By nightfall, illuminated by soft lights, the ancient fortification glows like a luminous dragon, creating a stunning and powerful scene.

This renewed vitality of the centuries-old landmarkreflects Beijing’s sustained and high-level commitment to its conservation. By transforming the Great Wall’s profound cultural and historical legacy into a driver of development, the city is ensuring broader public engagement with — and benefit from — this national treasure.

The Great Wall stands as a defining symbol of the Chinese nation and a testament to its ancient civilization. In recent years, Beijing has intensified efforts to protect, preserve, and repurpose this irreplaceable cultural heritage, balancing rigorous safeguards with efforts to let its legacy resonate in the present day.

On a recent afternoon near Tower 120 of the Jiankou section, restoration work was in full swing. Technicians used drones and other advanced equipment to collect data on the wall and its surrounding environment. From the contours of the terrain and nearby vegetation to tiny cracks in the towers, continuously updated 3D digital models are capturing every detail.

Leveraging 3D imaging and virtual reality technologies, Beijing has enhanced digital preservation and presentation, ensuring comprehensive documentation for future restoration and exhibitions.

Over time, more than 110 conservation projects have been completed. The city has also established a practical restoration training base and launched research-based restoration programs. Technological innovations — such as the “Beijing Great Wall e-Patrol” platform — have enabled a shift from emergency repairs to preventive conservation.

In Gubeikou township located in Beijing’s Miyun district, four themed study-tour routes centered around the Great Wall have drawn increasing numbers of visitors. These routes offer both photogenic stops and immersive lessons on Great Wall history and culture. Local cultural and tourism authorities are leveraging cultural landmarks — such as the Simatai section, the 24-Eye Tower, and the general tower — to deepen public understanding and appreciation of the site’s heritage.

Beijing is also pushing forward the creative transformation and innovative development of Great Wall culture. Major initiatives include building the Beijing section of the Great Wall national cultural park, upgrading the China Great Wall Museum, and staging public events such as a Beijing Great Wall cultural festival and a concert. Enhanced signage at key sites — Jiankou, Gubeikou, and Badaling sections — and immersive musical stage performances are further enriching the visitor experience, helping to invigorate this ancient heritage.

In Shixia village nestled along the Great Wall, time-worn stone paths, crenel replicas, and traditional courtyards evoke the site’s historic charm. Tourists come in a steady stream.

“During the May Day holiday, our guesthouses were fully booked,” said He Yuling, founder of a homestay business themed around the Great Wall. Over the years, the village has developed multiple homestays along with a distillery, an oil press, a coffee shop, and a Great Wall library — together forming an integrated chain of agriculture, culture, and tourism that is bringing prosperity to local residents.

These villages owe their existence — and enduring vitality — to the Great Wall. By leveraging this cultural heritage, Beijing is exploring new models of integrated cultural and tourism development. The city has introduced a range of Great Wall-themed cultural and creative brands, launched specialty products such as themed ice creams, and expandedexperiential tourism offerings like study tours. These efforts are creating new momentum for comprehensive rural vitalization.

While preserving the Great Wall, Beijing is working to enhance the global profile of this world-class cultural heritage.

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

The recently concluded 137th China Import and Export Fair, also known as Canton Fair, saw the participation of 288,000 overseas buyers from 219 countries and regions. On-site intended export deals reached $25.44 billion, a year-on-year increase of 3 percent. Multiple indicators hit record highs, underscoring China’s determination to share its development opportunities with the world through high-level opening up.

At a time when globalization is facing headwinds and unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, China is opening its door wider to the world, providing much-needed stability and certainty to the global economy.

Opening up to the world is the fundamental national policy of China that has endured throughout more than four decades of reform and opening up. This long-standing commitment remains a vital pathway for China to pursue its own development while contributing to global prosperity. By promoting development through opening up, China has been widely recognized as an oasis of certainty and a hot spot for investment and entrepreneurship.

China’s high-level opening up is a continuous effort rather than a completed mission. Actively expanding imports is also a key part of this strategy. China does not deliberately pursue a trade surplus. It is working to foster more balanced trade by actively increasing imports.

In 2024, the total value of China’simports reached 18.4 trillion yuan ($2.55 trillion), up 2.3 percent year on year, setting a new record. The country has maintained its position as the world’s second-largest importer for 16consecutive years.

The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is the globe’s first national-level exposition dedicated to imports, demonstrating China’s commitment to opening its market and advancing trade liberalization and economic globalization.

From hosting international cooperation platforms such as the CIIE, Canton Fair, China International Fair for Trade in Services, China International Consumer Products Expo, and China International Supply Chain Expo, to promoting the brand of “Invest in China” and launching the “Shopping in China” series, China is providing broad development opportunities for global companies with a spirit of openness. Meanwhile,it has given all the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. With these ongoing efforts, the enormous Chinese market is turning into a shared global market, demonstrating China’ssense of responsibility as a major country.

China’s determination to expand high-level opening up remains unwavering. This is not only a clear position but also evident in concrete actions.

In the first quarter of this year, 12,603 new foreign-invested enterpriseswere established in China, representing a year-on-yeargrowth of 4.3 percent. Meanwhile, China has removed all market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector. The items on its negative list, which specifies fields that are off-limits to foreign investors, have been further slashed to 29 in the national version and 27 for pilot free trade zones (FTZs).

China has also released a guideline for improving its FTZs and approveda plan that aims to expand comprehensive pilot programs to accelerate the services industry’s opening-up.

These efforts reflect China’s steady drive to expand institutional opening up, such as that of rules, regulations, management, and standards, and its commitment to deepening and broadening opening up.

As Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, noted, China has a spirit of openness where businesses worldwide can connect, forge partnerships and contribute to a more prosperous and interconnected global economy.

China’s pursuit of high-level opening up has expanded the space for mutually beneficial China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation.In 2023, the U.S. set up 1,920 new enterprises in China, with an actual investment of $3.36 billion, up 52 percent from the previous year.

At the same time, China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation has generated substantial business opportunities and profits for American companies. For example, Tesla’s electric vehicle sales in the Chinese mainlandhave hit a record high of 657,000 units in 2024, up 8.8 percent year on year.

China’s voluntary opening policies have benefited financial institutions from all countries including the United States. More than 10 American insurance companies have subsidiaries in China. American financial institutions, such as Goldman Sachs, American Express, Bank of America, and MetLife, have achieved substantial investment returns as strategic investors in Chinese financial institutions. Meanwhile, BlackRock, Fidelity, Neuberger Berman, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and AllianceBernstein have been allowed to establish wholly foreign-owned fund management companies in China.

Some U.S. politicians have called for greater opening up of China to American business for the good of both China and the United States. The fact, however, is that China has repeatedly affirmed its welcome to companies from all countries, including the U.S., to invest and thrive in China. China has developed sound regulations, policies and procedures for foreign investment, promoted trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and made active efforts to foster a first-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. It has been and will remain an ideal, safe, and promising destination for foreign investors.

It is hoped that the U.S. will refrain from creating obstacles for American companies seeking to invest in China, and stop using national security and America First as catch-all pretexts for demanding openness from others while tightening its own trade restrictions. Such protectionist moves risk disrupting global industrial and supply chains and weakening the multilateral trading system.

Only through mutually beneficial cooperation can China and the U.S.realize their respective development goals. This not only serves the common interests of both countries but also meets the expectations of the international community.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

By Zhou Yajun, Wang Yunshan, People’s Daily

China’s Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is expected to achieve independent customs operations before the end of this year. In recent years, Hainan province has steadily improved its FTP policy and institutional framework, achieving an average annual growth of over 20 percent in both goods and services trade through high-level opening up. The actual use of foreign capital has also shown steady expansion.

“A 21% tariff exemption is a huge boost for sales,” said Zhou Shuo, managing director of gN Pearl, a Hainan-based company specialized in pearl farming, research and development, production, and sales.

One of the signature policies of the Hainan FTP is the tariff exemption for domestically sold goods that have undergone value-added processing. According to this policy, for companies in encouraged industries,products whose added value exceeds 30 percent after the domestic processing of imported intermediary products, are exempt from taxes when entering the rest of China.

As a local company specializingin pearl products, gN Pearl has already imported three batches totaling over 2,000 golden and white South Sea pearls in the first quarter of this year. The company expects to increase imports to 30,000 pearls by year-end. With a procurement cost of 12 million yuan ($1.67 million), the tariff exemption policy is estimated to save the company over 2.5 million yuan.

According to customs of Haikou, capital of Hainan province, as of the end of this March,  domestic sales of value-added processing industries in Hainan had reached 7.54 billion yuan, resulting in approximately 601 million yuan in tariff exemptions. Benefiting from such policies, a number of modern processing enterprises targeting both domestic and international markets are thriving in Hainan.

Following Hainan FTP’s independent customs operations, the FTP will further ease market access and implement negative lists for cross-border services trade and foreign investment. These steps are expected to attract more foreign enterprises and international talent to invest and do business in Hainan.

From investing 220 million yuan in a new coffee processing line and upgrading a coffee culture park, to investing 540 million yuan in building a coffee-themed resort, Thailand’s CP Group has been increasing its investment in Hainan year after year.

“Investing in China is investing in the future. The vast scale of the Chinese market reinforcesour confidence,” said Wang Mengjun, senior vice president of Chia Tai (Hainan) Xinglong Coffee Industry Development Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of CP Group.

Since 2021, CP Group’s business in Hainan has doubled annually. In March, its Xinglong Coffee Culture Park was successfully accredited as a national AAA-rated tourist attraction, receiving over 400,000 visits so far.

Hainan is actively creating an internationalized business environment. In recent years, it has explored fully digitized processes for foreign-funded enterprises through an e-registration system, launched a one-stop investment service platform, and introduced 8 service packages for foreign enterprises and foreign nationals, including customs clearance and residence permits.

“Hainan’s favorable business environment and efficient services allow us to focus fully on doing business,” Wang said.

In 2024, despite challenges posed by globalizationheadwinds, Hainan saw the establishment of over 2,000 new foreign-invested enterprises, a year-on-year increase of around 20%.

At 5 pm Beijing time, a livestream kicked off at a studio of a media company located in the Hainan Cross-Border Digital Information Industrial Park. A host, speaking fluent English, introduced Chinese herbal teas to fitness enthusiasts in the USduring their early morning hours.

“Despite changes in the external environment, our revenue has sustained rapid growth,” said Chen Jifeng, general manager of the media company. “This studio’s daily sales have jumped from 10,000 yuan last year to 130,000 yuan now. Our revenue in April was five times that of February.”

According to him, the company’s best-selling product right now is Chinese herbal tea, which is popular among overseas consumers seeking a healthy lifestyle.

In 2023, Chen made the decision to pivot to cross-border e-commerce exports. “We chose Hainan because the FTP’s policies support the secure and orderly flow of data,” he explained.

Starting in 2023, China has supported Hainan in accelerating the implementation of data flow governance policies. A Haikou international communications gateway administration was approved, and China Unicom’s Hainan branch and HNINFORNET, a Hainan based company specializing in information and communications,jointly began developing a cross-border information industry service platform.

“A single terminal now enables users to access the global internet through a compliant, secure cross-border data channel,” said Gan Quan, deputy general manager of China Unicom’s Hainan branch. “This completely solves the issue of unstable internet connections in cross-border e-commerce and enables seamless global network connectivity.”

Dun & Bradstreet, an American company that provides commercial data, analytics, and insights for businesses, established a presence in Hainan in 2022 and became the first enterprise in the province to pass the Cyberspace Administration of China’s outbound data security assessment in 2023.

“In Hainan, both foreign and state-owned enterprises are treated equally with an open and inclusive environment,” said Wu Guangyu, president of Dun & Bradstreet China. “We see Hainan as a key hub bridging domestic and international markets and aggregating data resources. We eagerly anticipate the launch of independent customs operations in Hainan FTP.”

By Chen Yiming, People’s Daily

Under the cloudless skies of Chile’s Maule Region, rows of grapevines and fruit trees stretch across the valley floor. About 20minutes from the Talca-Chillán section of Chile’s highway Route 5 lies the Rodriguez family orchard in the Chilean Central Valley — a quintessential Chilean family farm.

“Welcome!” greeted Pablo Rodriguez, the farm’s general manager, clad in jeans and a straw hat.

“Our land once produced corn and tomatoes,” he explained. “In 2012, we shifted to higher-value crops like cherries, grapes, and watermelons. In 2014, we began exporting cherries to China. Today, all the cherries we grow go to China. So does much of our wine.”

During the harvest season, the orchard buzzes with activity, employing up to 500 seasonal workers. “It feels like a festival,”Rodriguez said with pride.

Yet behind the celebration lies a meticulously timed operation. “We move cherries from tree to cold storage within three hours to keep them fresh for Chinese consumers,”he noted.The cherries must arrive at the port precisely at the final moment before the vessel departs. Ensuring such timely delivery requires a fast, highly efficient logistics system.

For producers like Rodriguez, the transformation of Route 5 has been a game changer.”Since Chinese companies upgraded the highway, our cherries reach China faster and safer. Everyone here says our Chinese friends built us a sweet road to prosperity.”

Route 5 is the main artery connecting Chile’s northern and southernregions. The section, a 195-kilometer stretch of the route, traverses Maule, the country’s primary cherry-producing region, earning it the nickname “Cherry Highway.” As part of the Pan-American highway, it is one of Chile’s busiest corridors.

Route 5 is invested, constructed and operated by China Railway Construction Corporation (International) Limited (CRCCI), which acquired the concession in 2021. Since then,the company has implemented a comprehensive upgrades and smart management system, including the widening of 30 kilometers of road, construction of 54 kilometers of bypass, and installation of 13 electronic toll collection systems.

In 2022, the project introduced radio frequency identification technology for automated toll deductions in Chile. The following year, the Chillán-Collipulli section — the southern extension of the Talca-Chillán section — was launched, encompassing the renovation of 166 kilometers of existing roadway and the construction of 6.6 kilometers of new branch lines, for a total of 172.6 kilometers.

Once completed, the project will alleviate congestion in southern urban centers, strengthen north-south transportation links, and stimulate growth across regional industries.

Ivan Marambio, president of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association, noted that the Talca-Chillán section links farmers, logistics providers, ports, and global markets, calling it a vital artery for Chilean produce to reach Asia. The upgrades have significantly shortened delivery time, boosted export profits for farmers, and generated employment across the region, he added.

Juan Alvarez, a truck driver shuttling between Talca and Collipulli, said, “Thanks to CRCCI’s automated toll system, the traffic has eased. Now, a round trip takes just over two hours. I can make two round trips a day, and my income has grown accordingly.”

Besides, improved infrastructure has catalyzed growth in delivery services, e-commerce, and regional supply chains — further lifting local livelihoods.

Fernando Reyes Matta, director of the Center for Latin American Studies on China at Chile’sAndres Bello University, highlighted that Chile, the first Latin American country to sign a free trade agreement with China, has seen a dramatic rise in agricultural exports to China in recent years. Chilean cherries, she said,have become a “winter staple” on Chinese tables.

Behind this burgeoning trade lies a deeper story of infrastructure-led development. Projects like Route 5 reflect China’s growing engagement with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, where roads, bridges, schools, ports, and power plants are not only improving trade flows but also fueling broader economic progress.

Like the sun-drenched orchards at the foot of the Andes, the fruits of China-LAC cooperation continue to ripen — a promising harvest of shared prosperity for years to come.