On January 16, the Fujian Provincial Commerce Work Conference was held in Fuzhou. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the conference fully implemented the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the plenary sessions held thereafter, and thoroughly studied and implemented the important speeches delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his inspection of Fujian. It conscientiously carried out the guiding principles outlined at the Central Economic Work Conference, the 8th and 9th Plenary Sessions of the 11th Provincial Party Committee, and the Provincial Economic Work Conference, and conveyed and studied the spirit of the National Commerce Work Conference. The conference reviewed the province’s commerce work in 2025 and during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, analyzed the current situation, explored development approaches for the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, and deployed key tasks for 2026. Huang Heming, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Provincial Department of Commerce, delivered the work report. The conference was presided over by Liu Depei, member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Department.

The conference noted that 2025 marks both the conclusion of the “14th Five-Year Plan” and the planning year for the “15th Five-Year Plan.” Amid a complex and challenging environment characterized by increased external pressures and many internal difficulties, the province’s commerce system has resolutely implemented the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, as well as the work requirements of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government. It has continuously deepened and expanded the “Three Strives” initiative, and, following the overall “1234567”(1 goal, 2 priorities, 3 enhancements, 4 focuses, 5 key tasks, 6 major platforms, 7 guarantees) strategy, has faced challenges with determination, worked diligently, and strived for excellence. Overall, business operations remained stable, the consumer market was effectively boosted, and the structure of foreign trade was continuously optimized. The “Invest in Fujian” initiative continued to gain momentum, while the development of “Overseas Fujian” achieved new progress. The Free Trade Pilot Zone advanced in innovation-driven development, cooperation between Fujian, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and overseas Chinese communities was further deepened, development zones were steadily strengthened, and port customs clearance became faster and more efficient. Party building was advanced comprehensively, and new progress and achievements were made in high-quality development.

The conference acknowledged that the past five years have been extraordinary and challenging. The province’s commerce system has tackled difficulties with determination and persevered steadfastly, achieving new accomplishments in promoting high-quality development. The province has scaled up as a major consumer market, consolidated its foundation as a strong foreign trade player, gained momentum as a major destination for investment with visible results, and advanced further as a leading open economy. The commerce-related objectives set in the “14th Five-Year Plan” were successfully accomplished, laying a solid foundation in the province’s commerce sector during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period.

The conference emphasized that 2026 marks the first year of the “15th Five-Year Plan” and is also a crucial year for Fujian to take the lead in advancing Chinese modernization and to write a new chapter in the construction of a new Fujian. Performing commerce work well carries both great responsibility and significant importance. We must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guiding principle, thoroughly implement the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and follow the work requirements of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government. Building on the “three important” positioning of commerce work, we must maintain stability while pursuing progress, improve quality and efficiency, better coordinate domestic economic work with international trade and economic competition, and balance development with security. Following the overall “1234567” strategy, we will continue to make concerted efforts, seize the initiative through tackling key tasks, act proactively, and take on major responsibilities. The goal is to achieve qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth in commerce development, secure a strong start for the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, and further advance the construction of a major consumer market, a strong trade player, a major destination for investment, and a leading open economy. We will center on the following five key areas:

First, vigorously boost consumption and improve quality and efficiency in better serving people’s livelihoods

We will implement the “Shop in China” initiative, intensify efforts to revitalize consumption through targeted actions, and closely align measures that benefit the people with those that stimulate consumption. By leveraging “policies + activities” in tandem, we will continue to build the “Enjoy Shopping Across Fujian” brand, unlock the potential of service consumption, expand and upgrade the consumption of goods, and accelerate the improvement of the Fujian product promotion system. We will actively cultivate and foster new business models, new formats, and new consumption scenarios to stimulate the endogenous drivers of consumer spending.

Second, stabilize and revive foreign trade, improving quality and efficiency through innovative trade development

We will implement the newly revised Foreign Trade Law, advance initiatives to stabilize and sustain foreign trade, and intensify efforts to address key challenges. By coordinating market, product, and trade mode strategies, we will work to stabilize expectations and strengthen market entities, actively diversify international markets, and foster integrated development of trade and industry. We will steadily expand new business models and formats, accelerate the growth of service and digital trade, and expand imports to promote balanced trade development.

Third, foster new advantages in attracting investment, enhancing quality and efficiency in high-quality investment promotion

We will implement the “Invest in China” initiative, advance dedicated efforts to attract foreign investment, reform and optimize investment promotion mechanisms, and build a robust “Invest in Fujian” branding matrix. We will actively promote diverse investment attraction models, foster a favorable investment ecosystem, and shift the focus from “policy-driven attraction” to “ecosystem-enabled empowerment.” This will enhance the comprehensive competitiveness of investment promotion efforts, and ensure stable and high-quality utilization of foreign capital.

Fourth, enhance the capacity of platforms and carriers, improving quality and efficiency in expanding high-level opening-up

We will thoroughly implement the initiative to break new ground in opening-up , promote the comprehensive upgrading of the Pilot Free Trade Zone, build a high-quality “Overseas Fujian” framework, deepen Fujian-Taiwan economic and trade integration, foster innovation and quality development in development zones, and strengthen and expand port economy. By enhancing coordination among various industrial parks and platform carriers, we will amplify demonstration effects tailored to local conditions, advance the “Six Areas of Foreign Cooperation,” and expand new frontiers for high-quality development.

Fifth, unite, strive, and take responsibility, improving quality and efficiency in cultivating a strong work style

We will uphold and strengthen the Party’s overall leadership over commerce work, firmly establish and practice a correct view of performance, and build a high-quality, professional commerce cadre team. Adhering to the “Five Musts” work methodology, we will embody the spirit of “I can, I will, I take charge” in shouldering responsibilities, foster close collaboration with all stakeholders to optimize the ecosystem for commerce development, and actively fulfill the mission of serving the people and supporting businesses through commerce initiatives. We will carry out tasks and achieve results with greater initiative, enthusiasm, and creativity. At the same time, efforts must be made to ensure safety production and market supply within the commerce system.

The conference called on the province’s commerce system to firmly establish the “overall chessboard” mindset, approaching the year with the determination to “sprint from the start and fight decisively from the outset.” It called for taking the initiative early, strengthening the awareness of tackling key challenges and shouldering major responsibilities, anticipating and acting ahead in all work, uniting as one, overcoming difficulties, and advancing with courage and determination. By leading the “first year” with vigorous momentum, the aim is to ensure a steady and positive trajectory over the five-year period and make new contributions in commerce toward writing a new chapter in building a new Fujian on the new journey.

At the conference, Chen Lin, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Commerce stationed in Fuzhou, delivered a speech. Department leaders deployed work within their respective areas of responsibility, and officials from the commerce departments of the nine cities and one district, as well as representatives from the Free Trade Zone subregions and relevant municipal investment promotion service centers, made exchange presentations. Responsible officials from the offices of the Department and public institutions affiliated with the Department attended the meeting.