TOPIC

Ministry of Commerce (China)

The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) of the People’s Republic of China: A prominent Beijing-based governmental body, MOFCOM is a cabinet-level executive department of the State Council. Its primary mission is to formulate policies on domestic and foreign trade, economic cooperation, and market regulation, promoting China’s economic development and trade. Key activities include overseeing inbound and outbound investment, drafting trade laws, and negotiating international trade agreements. MOFCOM plays a significant role in forging China’s global economic policy and is instrumental in attracting foreign investment and optimising the business environment.

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi (right) shakes hands with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, in Beijing on May 8, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

China-France relations

Beijing urges France to respect one-China principle during high-level talks

Top diplomat Wang Yi tells visiting French senior adviser the countries should strengthen a partnership ‘free from external interference’.

9 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summit

China urges US to drop trade probe as key Trump-Xi summit approaches

6 May 2026 - 6:45AMvideocam

US-China relations

China says to ignore US sanctions even as Trump visit nears

4 May 2026 - 5:32PM

US-China relations

The US sanctioned Chinese oil refineries. Now China is really pushing back

Beijing has wheeled out its ‘Blocking Rules’ for the first time, ordering non-compliance with the American action.

3 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Hengli Petrochemical in Dalian, Liaoning province, has been accused by the United States of links to the Iran oil trade. Photo: Reuters

Artificial intelligence

China blocks Meta’s Manus deal after months-long probe, thwarting purchase

Economic planner asks both parties to withdraw from deal for AI firm, in move with wider implications for other start-ups operating overseas.

27 Apr 2026 - 7:35PMvideocam

China-EU relations

China warns EU to remove firms and citizens from Russian sanctions list

Commerce ministry said Brussels would ‘bear the consequences’ after 27 mainland and Hong Kong firms were added to the latest blacklist.

26 Apr 2026 - 7:40PMvideocam

China-EU relations

China’s CRRC drops bid for Lisbon metro deal as EU finds ‘billions’ in subsidies

Polish firm to replace state-backed Chinese giant as Brussels uses regulatory powers to curb what it says is market-distorting foreign aid.

21 Apr 2026 - 8:36PMvideocam

Workers operate on a production line at an assembly workshop of CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive in China’s Hunan province. Photo: Xinhua

China-EU relations

China threatens EU firms over cybersecurity plans targeting Chinese companies

China’s commerce ministry warns broad retaliation is on the table if firms such as Huawei and ZTE are penalised by proposed law.

20 Apr 2026 - 8:01PMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

‘Eager to explore’: Chinese migrants return to Venezuela after Maduro’s capture

A large chunk of Venezuela’s Chinese community fled overseas during Maduro’s rule. Now, many are returning as they see ‘new opportunities’.

12 Apr 2026 - 10:08AMvideocam

Food and agriculture

China to boost frozen pork reserves as hog prices tumble to multi-year troughs

The national average hog price fell to an eight-year low of 10.68 yuan per kg in the fourth week of March.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

A supermarket employee cuts pork in Huaian city, Jiangsu province. Photo: Costfoto/Future Publishing via Getty Images

US-China trade war

Explaining China’s trade probe announcements

SCMP Plus annotates announcements by China’s Ministry of Commerce of two trade barrier investigations in response to the United States’ Section 301 probes intended to justify reimposing higher tariffs on trading partners.

31 Mar 2026 - 5:57PM

Explaining China’s trade probe announcements

US-China trade war

China deploys new trade-war weapons with US investigations

An overhaul of China’s Foreign Trade Law has given the country new tools in global trade disputes and paved the way for retaliatory measures against the US.

30 Mar 2026 - 5:19PM

US-China trade war

China launches investigations into US trade practices. Why now?

Washington’s measures may breach WTO rules and past agreements, commerce ministry says.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:30PM

China-Latin America relations

China threatens Mexico with trade reprisals over 50% import duties

Economy secretary rejected Beijing’s complaints, saying Chinese firms sell below cost with state backing and Mexico will not back down.

27 Mar 2026 - 3:04AM

Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard earlier this month in Mexico City. Photo: EPA

China trade

China says Mexico’s tariff hikes constitute ‘trade barriers’ after probe

The tariff increases – made in part to appease demands from Washington – have been designated a breach of trade rules by Beijing.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:00PM

Natural gas-powered buses bound for Mexico are loaded onto a ship at Yantai Port in east China’s Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua

Semiconductors

China warns of fresh chip crisis as Nexperia dispute flares up

China warns the ‘Dutch side’ must bear responsibility if the Nexperia dispute reignites global automotive chip shortages.

8 Mar 2026 - 6:30PM

Two Sessions 2026

Beijing vows to expand imports amid ‘China shock’ fears

Beijing promises to source advanced tech, consumer goods and agricultural products from overseas while diversifying markets.

7 Mar 2026 - 11:42AMvideocam

China exports

Deals of steel: how China’s price-setting agreements are easing trade tempers

Chinese exporters agree to raise prices to avoid anti‑dumping duties, echoing earlier electric vehicle agreement with European Union.

28 Feb 2026 - 4:00PM

Molten steel sparks fly at a factory in Huaian, Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Exclusive | China scours for Trump bargaining chips ahead of Beijing summit with Xi: sources

Government departments are tasked with researching and assessing likely demands by the US leader as well as formulating possible concessions.

27 Feb 2026 - 10:03PMvideocam

China exports

As China’s firms go global, foreign expertise is becoming a hot commodity

Chinese companies are rushing to hire a range of service contractors to help them expand overseas – from compliance experts to TikTok gurus.

27 Feb 2026 - 10:42AMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

Facebook owner Meta goes ahead with Manus merger despite Beijing probe

Some Manus employees in Singapore move into Meta’s offices and have been given corporate accounts and other access, two sources said.

26 Feb 2026 - 9:30PM

Manus rose to fame in March 2025 after releasing what it described as the world’s first general AI agent. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China trade war

US to keep China tariffs steady ahead of key Trump-Xi meeting: Greer

Trade envoy confirms levies on Chinese goods to remain within range of 35 per cent to 50 per cent depending on the product as tensions ease.

26 Feb 2026 - 7:18AMvideocam

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has confirmed that the Trump administration will keep tariffs on China at their current level. Photo: Reuters

US-China trade war

China braces after Trump imposes new global tariff – how will it respond?

Beijing is on alert but signals readiness to engage ahead of high-level trade talks and Trump’s first visit to China in his second term.

24 Feb 2026 - 9:00PM

China consumption

Ne Zha 2 hangover? China’s Lunar New Year box office plunges to 6-year low

China’s holiday box office fell nearly 40 per cent year on year as studios failed to find a breakout hit to match last year’s Ne Zha 2.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:30PM

China-Japan relations

China adds Japanese entities to export control list, turning up heat on Tokyo

Beijing has also added 20 Japanese firms and institutions to a watch list for the export of goods with potential military applications.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:55PMvideocam

China has added 20 Japanese entities to an export control list amid heightened tensions with Tokyo. Photo: AFP

China trade

China defends WTO’s ‘equal treatment’ rule – what it means for global trade

Beijing warns that ending non-discrimination in global trade rules could see powerful countries dominate smaller ones.

20 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

The WTO launched a formal self-review in 2022, and is expected to discuss reform proposals in March. Photo: AFP

China consumption

China targets foreign tourists for Lunar New Year ‘consumption feast’

Beijing sees huge untapped potential in spending by inbound travellers as it strives to drive up demand over the crucial nine-day holiday.

18 Feb 2026 - 9:00PM

China travel

China’s cruise industry passes major milestone as Beijing eyes travel boom

As domestic liner handles 1 millionth passenger, Beijing says it aims to turn yachts and cruise ships into major new consumption drivers.

10 Feb 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

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Ministry of Commerce (China)

Beijing urges France to respect one-China principle during high-level talks

Top diplomat Wang Yi tells visiting French senior adviser the countries should strengthen a partnership ‘free from external interference’.

China urges US to drop trade probe as key Trump-Xi summit approaches

China says to ignore US sanctions even as Trump visit nears

The US sanctioned Chinese oil refineries. Now China is really pushing back

Beijing has wheeled out its ‘Blocking Rules’ for the first time, ordering non-compliance with the American action.

China blocks Meta’s Manus deal after months-long probe, thwarting purchase

Economic planner asks both parties to withdraw from deal for AI firm, in move with wider implications for other start-ups operating overseas.

China warns EU to remove firms and citizens from Russian sanctions list

Commerce ministry said Brussels would ‘bear the consequences’ after 27 mainland and Hong Kong firms were added to the latest blacklist.

China’s CRRC drops bid for Lisbon metro deal as EU finds ‘billions’ in subsidies

Polish firm to replace state-backed Chinese giant as Brussels uses regulatory powers to curb what it says is market-distorting foreign aid.

China threatens EU firms over cybersecurity plans targeting Chinese companies

China’s commerce ministry warns broad retaliation is on the table if firms such as Huawei and ZTE are penalised by proposed law.

‘Eager to explore’: Chinese migrants return to Venezuela after Maduro’s capture

A large chunk of Venezuela’s Chinese community fled overseas during Maduro’s rule. Now, many are returning as they see ‘new opportunities’.

China to boost frozen pork reserves as hog prices tumble to multi-year troughs

The national average hog price fell to an eight-year low of 10.68 yuan per kg in the fourth week of March.

Explaining China’s trade probe announcements

SCMP Plus annotates announcements by China’s Ministry of Commerce of two trade barrier investigations in response to the United States’ Section 301 probes intended to justify reimposing higher tariffs on trading partners.

China deploys new trade-war weapons with US investigations

An overhaul of China’s Foreign Trade Law has given the country new tools in global trade disputes and paved the way for retaliatory measures against the US.

China launches investigations into US trade practices. Why now?

Washington’s measures may breach WTO rules and past agreements, commerce ministry says.

China threatens Mexico with trade reprisals over 50% import duties

Economy secretary rejected Beijing’s complaints, saying Chinese firms sell below cost with state backing and Mexico will not back down.

China says Mexico’s tariff hikes constitute ‘trade barriers’ after probe

The tariff increases – made in part to appease demands from Washington – have been designated a breach of trade rules by Beijing.

China warns of fresh chip crisis as Nexperia dispute flares up

China warns the ‘Dutch side’ must bear responsibility if the Nexperia dispute reignites global automotive chip shortages.

Beijing vows to expand imports amid ‘China shock’ fears

Beijing promises to source advanced tech, consumer goods and agricultural products from overseas while diversifying markets.

Deals of steel: how China’s price-setting agreements are easing trade tempers

Chinese exporters agree to raise prices to avoid anti‑dumping duties, echoing earlier electric vehicle agreement with European Union.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | China scours for Trump bargaining chips ahead of Beijing summit with Xi: sources

Government departments are tasked with researching and assessing likely demands by the US leader as well as formulating possible concessions.

As China’s firms go global, foreign expertise is becoming a hot commodity

Chinese companies are rushing to hire a range of service contractors to help them expand overseas – from compliance experts to TikTok gurus.

Facebook owner Meta goes ahead with Manus merger despite Beijing probe

Some Manus employees in Singapore move into Meta’s offices and have been given corporate accounts and other access, two sources said.

US to keep China tariffs steady ahead of key Trump-Xi meeting: Greer

Trade envoy confirms levies on Chinese goods to remain within range of 35 per cent to 50 per cent depending on the product as tensions ease.

China braces after Trump imposes new global tariff – how will it respond?

Beijing is on alert but signals readiness to engage ahead of high-level trade talks and Trump’s first visit to China in his second term.

Ne Zha 2 hangover? China’s Lunar New Year box office plunges to 6-year low

China’s holiday box office fell nearly 40 per cent year on year as studios failed to find a breakout hit to match last year’s Ne Zha 2.

China adds Japanese entities to export control list, turning up heat on Tokyo

Beijing has also added 20 Japanese firms and institutions to a watch list for the export of goods with potential military applications.

China defends WTO’s ‘equal treatment’ rule – what it means for global trade

Beijing warns that ending non-discrimination in global trade rules could see powerful countries dominate smaller ones.

China targets foreign tourists for Lunar New Year ‘consumption feast’

Beijing sees huge untapped potential in spending by inbound travellers as it strives to drive up demand over the crucial nine-day holiday.

China’s cruise industry passes major milestone as Beijing eyes travel boom

As domestic liner handles 1 millionth passenger, Beijing says it aims to turn yachts and cruise ships into major new consumption drivers.

Exclusive | China scours for Trump bargaining chips ahead of Beijing summit with Xi: sources