German media focus on China's release of guidance on e-commerce development, encouraging cross-border e-commerce to expand imports

China's Ministry of Commerce and five other departments recently released new guidelines for e-commerce development, including encouraging cross-border e-commerce companies to establish direct procurement bases overseas and expand imports of high-quality, distinctive products.

According to Chinese media reports on Monday, April 6, China's Ministry of Commerce, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Better Serving the Real Economy and Promoting High-Quality Development of E-Commerce," aiming "to continuously advance high-quality development, high-level openness, and efficient governance, and better serve the real economy to consolidate and strengthen it."

In addition to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises' transformation, deepening rural e-commerce, and cultivating industrial e-commerce, the guidance also emphasizes advancing cross-border e-commerce and expanding the 'Silk Road E-Commerce' initiative. It states: "Encourage e-commerce companies to build direct procurement bases overseas, increase imports of high-quality, distinctive products, and create an 'express lane' for global premium goods entering the Chinese market."

Furthermore, under the section "Promoting High-Level Openness," Guideline No. 10 points out: "Advance alignment and coordination between domestic and international rules in areas such as personal information protection and cross-border data flows. Actively push for joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), and deepen negotiations on multilateral and bilateral rules within the World Trade Organization."

Guideline No. 13 addresses "Compliant Overseas Expansion," encouraging e-commerce firms to register trademarks and apply for patents abroad, build independent brand portfolios, and enhance compliance standards. It also urges: "Encourage outbound e-commerce enterprises to improve local operational capabilities, cultivate local talent, empower local SMEs, fulfill social responsibilities, compete fairly and orderly, and achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes."

Just one week before the new regulations were announced, a delegation from the European Parliament had concluded its visit to China. This visit marked the first time in eight years that EU parliamentarians had traveled to China. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the delegation’s visit helped deepen the EU’s understanding of China and supported stable bilateral relations.

During the visit, EU parliamentarians pressed China on issues related to the influx of large volumes of unsafe products into the EU. Last month, the EU adopted a comprehensive customs reform plan aimed at cracking down on online platforms selling illegal or unsafe goods in Europe—particularly targeting Chinese cross-border e-commerce platforms such as Temu and SHEIN (Shein). The reform eliminates the previous exemption for low-value goods, requiring e-commerce platforms to assume the obligations of a "responsible importer." Additionally, if cross-border e-commerce platforms sell illegal or unsafe products in the EU, they face substantial fines.

The newly released Chinese e-commerce guidelines do not mention e-commerce trade with Europe. Under the section "Guiding Compliant Overseas Expansion," the new regulations recommend: "Strengthen monitoring and early warning of overseas business risks, guide enterprises to enhance their risk response capabilities, actively engage in diplomatic outreach, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises overseas."

Source: DW, Reuters, etc.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861739066950665/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.