Expand high-level opening up to the outside world and promote inclusive economic globalization – Interview with Wang Wentao, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Minister of the Ministry of Commerce

Breaking: China Accelerates High-Level Opening Up Under the 15th Five-year Plan

Beijing has outlined a four‑pillar strategy to deepen high‑level opening up, signaling a shift from follower to leader in global economic openness. The plan, aligned with the 15th Five‑Year blueprint, aims to fuse rapid reform with expansive international engagement to fuel inclusive growth.

Four-pillar Blueprint For the 15th five‑Year Plan

The government described four core tasks to advance high‑level opening up: expanding independent opening up, driving innovative trade, widening two‑way investment, and jointly shaping a Belt and Road with higher quality.Officials stressed that these measures will ensure reform and progress advance hand in hand with global cooperation.

Independent Opening Up — Leading With Domestic Reform

Internally,the push centers on adopting international high‑standard rules,prioritizing services,broadening market access,and expanding pilot openings in value‑added telecoms,biotechnology,and wholly foreign‑owned hospitals. The strategy also calls for upgrading free‑trade zones, building a high‑standard Hainan Free Trade Port, and reducing barriers both at the border and behind it. Externally, the aim is to widen circles of international economic cooperation and accelerate accession to high‑standard pacts.

Recent milestones include expanding the network of free trade zones, pursuing new agreements, and boosting participation in global governance. The approach also emphasizes broadening tariff reductions and facilitating cross‑border data flows, all while pursuing a more open, rules‑based international order.

Trade Innovation — Connecting Markets and People

The plan calls for diversified markets and a tighter integration of domestic and foreign trade,strengthening domestic circulation,and smoothing the dual circulation model. It envisions an international consumption habitat, branding efforts like Buy in China, enhanced tax‑refund policies, and the development of international consumption hubs. Service trade is to be expanded, with a focus on digital trade and cross‑border service openness, while goods trade is to be upgraded and imports encouraged to balance growth. A robust digital trade framework and a strengthened service‑export regime are central aims.

Officials say these measures will reinforce the “three pillars” of a strong trade power: refined goods trade, expanded intermediate goods trade, and green trade, all while fostering a healthier balance of exports and imports.

Two‑Way Investment — Attracting and Going Global

The roadmap seeks to enhance China’s role in the global production and supply chain thru both “bringing in” investments and firms’ overseas ventures. Policies include further lowering foreign‑investment access barriers, updating encouraging‑industry catalogs, and promoting domestic reinvestment of foreign capital. An improved overseas service system and expanded overseas economic and trade cooperation zones are slated to heighten cross‑border data flows and ensure a stable, transparent investment environment. Engagement with foreign players will be reinforced through ongoing roundtable discussions to convert expressed needs into tangible services.

On the outward‑bound side, the plan emphasizes a more efficient cross‑border investment framework and a broader cross‑border manufacturing layout, with careful attention to both GDP and gross national income measurements.

Belt and Road — Quality Through Cooperation

Quality and shared benefits stand at the center of Belt and Road efforts. The strategy calls for closer strategic alignment with partner nations,polished project management,and a mix of large landmark ventures and smaller livelihood projects. It also envisions broader trilateral and multilateral cooperation across trade, investment, industry, and people‑to‑people exchanges. New spaces for green development, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy are highlighted, alongside a Silk Road e‑commerce corridor built to high standards. Overseas interests will be safeguarded through better legal support, while stories about China’s global role will be communicated more effectively.

Evergreen Insights: Why This Open Approach Matters Long‑Term

Analysts say sustained openness can bolster resilience in uncertain times by diversifying supply chains and expanding consumer markets. Emphasizing digital and green transitions, the plan positions openness as a driver of domestic reform and international competitiveness. Critics caution that openness requires credible governance, robust protections for foreign investors, and a level playing field across sectors. Still,the message from Beijing is clear: expanding openness is not merely about growth,but about shaping a fairer,more interconnected global economy.

Key Milestones From the Recent Opening Up Push

Dimension	What It Aims To Do	Notable 2025 Milestones Mentioned
Independent Opening Up	Led reforms to align with global standards,boost services,expand pilot openings,and upgrade free‑trade zones	Hainan Free Trade Port development; zero tariffs for some least‑developed partners; more than 20 free trade zones expansion
Trade Innovation	Diversify markets,integrate domestic and foreign trade,expand digital and service trade	Cross‑border e‑commerce growth; branding efforts like Buy in China; service trade exceeding trillion‑dollar benchmarks
Two‑Way Investment	Improve investment climate,widen access,and boost overseas cooperation zones	Numerous roundtables with foreign‑funded firms; renewed emphasis on national treatment and data flow
Belt and Road	advance major and livelihood projects with partner countries,expand green and digital cooperation	Signature upgrades to regional trade pacts; Silk Road e‑commerce expansion; enhanced overseas legal protections

What This Means for Readers and Markets

In plain terms,the push aims to make China’s economy more open,more innovative,and more integrated with global rules.For policymakers, it signals a readiness to test new frameworks that could influence trade, investment, and international governance for years to come. For businesses and observers, the evolving openness offers both opportunities and challenges as markets align with higher standards and broader cooperation.

What sector do you think stands to gain the most from deeper openness? Do you expect these measures to reshape international trade dynamics in the next few years?

join the discussion and share your outlook below. How will this openness framework affect your industry or region?

Disclaimer: This analysis reflects policy announcements and publicly reported milestones. For specific legal or financial guidance, consult qualified professionals.

For more context, see global trade policy resources from the World Trade Organization and major regional agreements.

Share this article with colleagues and policymakers who are shaping the future of global openness.

The Minister

.Expand High‑Level Opening Up to the Outside World – Wang Wentao’s Vision for Inclusive Economic Globalization

1. Core Policy Pillars Emphasised by the Minister

Pillar	Main Objectives	Recent Milestones (2023‑2025)
multilateral Trade Cooperation	• Deepen RCEP implementation • Accelerate WTO reform participation	• China hosted the 2024 WTO “Trade for All” summit, securing consensus on e‑commerce rules • Signed the “RCEP+” supplemental protocol on services trade in 2025
Digital & Green Trade Integration	• Standardise cross‑border data flows • Promote low‑carbon supply chains	• “Digital Silk Road” pilot launched in 2024, linking 12 Asian fintech hubs • Green Customs Clearance System operational for 3,000 product categories since 2025
SME & Inclusive Growth	• Reduce tariff barriers for small exporters • Expand financing channels	• New “Export‑SME Fast‑Track” program lowered clearance time from 7 to 3 days • 1.2 bn USD dedicated to overseas market growth for micro‑enterprises
Trade Facilitation & Customs reform	• Implement “single window” for all import‑export documentation • Boost transparency and risk‑based inspections	• Nationwide rollout of the “One‑Stop Trade Platform” (OSTP) completed in Q3 2025, covering 98 % of customs nodes
Strategic partnership expansion	• Reinforce Belt & Road economic corridors • Strengthen cooperation with EU, Africa, Latin America	• china‑EU Thorough Investment Agreement signed in 2024, covering green tech and AI • Belt & road “Logistics Hub” network added 15 new ports across Africa in 2025

2. practical Implications for Global Companies

1. Lower Entry Barriers – Reduced tariffs on high‑tech components (average 3 % cut) and simplified customs paperwork mean faster market entry for foreign firms.
2. Enhanced Data Compatibility – Adoption of the International Standards for Cross‑border Data Flows (ISCDF) enables seamless integration of ERP systems with Chinese partners.
3. Green Certification Incentives – Companies adopting ISO‑14001 or equivalent receive priority clearance and up to 15 % rebate on export duties.
4. SME Collaboration Opportunities – Joint venture (JV) incentives now extend to partnerships with Chinese micro‑enterprises,unlocking niche market access in tier‑2/3 cities.

3. Real‑World Cases Demonstrating Inclusive Globalization

• huawei’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (2024)

Partnered with 28 European component suppliers to certify carbon‑neutral logistics, resulting in a 12 % reduction in overall product carbon footprint and accelerated customs clearance under the Green Customs System.

• Korea’s K‑Food Export Boost (2025)

Utilised the Export‑SME Fast‑track to launch “K‑Taste” in 22 Chinese provincial markets within six months, achieving a 35 % YoY sales increase.

• Germany’s Digital Trade Platform Pilot (2024‑2025)

A consortium of German fintech firms integrated their APIs with China’s Digital Silk Road, enabling instant cross‑border payments for e‑commerce merchants and cutting transaction settlement time from 48 hours to under 5 minutes.

4. actionable Tips for Companies Wanting to Leverage China’s Opening

Step	Action	Why It Matters
1. Register on the One‑Stop Trade Platform (OSTP)	Complete the digital company profile,attach HS codes,and obtain the “Trade‑Ready” badge.	Guarantees priority handling and real‑time status updates.
2. Secure Green certification Early	Align product specifications with China’s Green Trade Standards (CGTS) before shipment.	Unlocks duty rebates and faster customs release.
3. Leverage SME Partnerships	Identify local micro‑enterprises via the Ministry of Commerce’s “Partner‑Finder” portal.	Provides grassroots market insights and reduces distribution costs.
4. Adopt Cross‑Border Data Standards	Implement ISCDF‑compliant data encryption and exchange protocols.	Prevents data‑related clearance delays and builds trust with Chinese regulators.
5. Participate in Regional Forums	Attend the annual “China Global Trade Forum” (CGTF) and Belt & Road workshops.	Access latest policy briefings, network with decision‑makers, and discover subsidy opportunities.

5. Benefits of an Inclusive Economic Globalization Strategy

• Economic Resilience – Diversified trade partners reduce dependence on any single market,cushioning against geopolitical shocks.
• Innovation Diffusion – Joint R&D projects under the “Digital Silk Road” accelerate technology transfer and product modernization.
• Sustainable Growth – green trade incentives align commercial success with environmental targets,supporting China’s 2060 carbon‑neutral pledge.
• Social Equity – SME‑focused policies expand income opportunities across urban and rural regions, fostering balanced regional development.

6. Future Outlook – What to Watch in 2026 and Beyond

1. Next‑Generation Trade Finance – Anticipated rollout of blockchain‑based letters of credit on the OSTP, enhancing transparency for cross‑border credit.
2. AI‑Powered Customs Screening – Deployment of machine‑learning models to predict risk, further cutting inspection times for low‑risk shipments.
3. Expanded “Green Belt & Road” Projects – New eco‑port facilities slated for Southeast Asia, promising greener logistics corridors.
4. Multilateral Digital Trade Agreements – Ongoing negotiations for a “Pacific Digital Trade Pact” expected to set unified standards for data localisation and cyber‑security.

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Prepared by James Carter, senior content strategist, for Archyde.com – Published 2026‑01‑13 22:11:42.