China to advance high-standard opening-up, creating new opportunities for the world

(ECNS) -- The Central Economic Work Conference held in December 2025 reaffirmed China's commitment to opening-up and to promoting win-win cooperation across a wide range of fields, while laying out key measures to advance high-standard opening-up in 2026.

The conference sends a strong signal that China will continue to expand cooperation and pursue mutually beneficial development amid an increasingly complex and evolving international environment.

Photo taken on Dec. 17, 2025 shows buildings along Binhai Avenue in Haikou City, Hainan Province. (Photo: China News Service/Luo Yunfei)

Data from the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs show that China imports more than 20 trillion yuan ($2.87 trillion) worth of goods each year from nearly 80 countries and regions. The China International Import Expo, held for eight consecutive years, has generated cumulative intended deals worth over $580 billion.

Looking ahead, China's middle-income group is expected to surpass 800 million people over the next decade. Rising and increasingly diverse demand for higher-quality products and services is expected to further unleash the potential of its vast market.

Attracting and utilizing foreign investment has long been a key part of China's opening-up. In recent years, China has steadily eased market access for foreign investors, proactively aligned with high-standard international trade and economic rules, and expanded institutional opening-up, leading to continuous improvements in the business environment.

China will further deepen reforms to streamline foreign investment mechanism, ensure equal national treatment for foreign businesses, and improve services so that foreign enterprises are willing to enter the market, remain, and thrive.

High-quality Belt and Road Initiative cooperation is also creating new opportunities worldwide. According to China State Railway Group, the China-Laos Railway has transported more than 62.5 million passengers in four years, while the China-Europe freight trains have made more than 120,000 trips. The two-way Chancay-Shanghai maritime route has been established and wide range of livelihood projects in agriculture, education, healthcare, poverty reduction, and disaster prevention have taken root. These outcomes have enhanced connectivity and promoted shared development across more than 150 countries and regions.

China reiterated that its door to opening-up will open even wider, making it easier for high-quality products and services from around the world to enter the Chinese market and share in the opportunities created by China's vast and growing economy.