China has launched a national program aimed at increasing import demand as part of a broader strategy to shift the country toward a more consumption-driven economy.
Premier Li Qiang and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao unveiled the initiative on Tuesday, describing it as a key step in connecting foreign producers with Chinese buyers and expanding China’s role as a major global consumer market.
The ‘Big Market for All: Export to China’ campaign will match overseas manufacturers with domestic importers and expand the number of import expos across the country.
Wang said the goal is to “make China the best export destination for more countries”, signalling Beijing’s push to present itself as a reliable market for global suppliers.
The move comes shortly after Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to pause the trade war during a meeting in South Korea, easing months of economic and political tension between the two countries.
China continues to hold its position as the world’s largest exporter, reporting a trade surplus close to $1 trillion in 2024.
Beijing has spent recent years promoting domestic consumption and showcasing openness to international sellers through platforms such as the China International Import Expo, which resumes in Shanghai this week.
As part of the new initiative, China plans to choose five or six countries each year as special partners for targeted import promotion, although Wang did not disclose which countries will be selected.
At the launch event, Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, said the campaign could support bilateral trade but called for “clear rules, fair competition and a predictable business environment” to ensure effective participation by international firms.
Chinese authorities continue to face challenges in sustaining growth. Domestic spending remains weak following years of economic turbulence, including a prolonged property crisis and the impact of the trade conflict with the United States.
Wang has argued that increasing imports is essential for achieving a healthier balance between imports and exports and supporting both industrial upgrading and rising consumer expectations.
He reiterated that expanding imports is necessary to meet the needs of China’s modernizing industries and the aspirations of its increasingly sophisticated population.
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