According to a report in China Daily on February 5, 2026
Beijing — As global trade faces growing fragmentation and protectionist pressures, China is positioning its vast domestic market as a source of stability and long-term demand for international businesses, Chinese officials and foreign business leaders said this week.
At a Beijing event promoting imports under the banner “Big Market for All: Export to China,” Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said China aims to further expand market access and imports, framing the country’s consumer base as a shared growth platform rather than a closed system.
China imported goods worth 18.48 trillion yuan ($2.66 trillion) in 2025, accounting for about 10 percent of global imports, according to customs data. The figure underscores China’s role as the world’s second-largest import market for the 17th consecutive year, at a time when global demand remains uneven and geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt supply chains.
Officials say a more balanced relationship between exports and imports will be a central pillar of China’s next five-year economic blueprint (2026–30), reflecting Beijing’s effort to rely more on domestic demand while maintaining integration with global markets.
The Ministry of Commerce plans to host more than 100 import promotion events this year, aiming to match overseas suppliers with Chinese buyers and translate market access into commercial results, particularly for small and medium-sized foreign firms.
Beijing, which is seeking to establish itself as an international consumption hub, has been positioned as a key gateway for premium global products. Mayor Yin Yong said the capital would continue to link import growth with consumer demand, reinforcing its role as an entry point for foreign brands.
Foreign business representatives attending the event echoed cautious optimism. British Ambassador to China Peter Wilson said China is already the UK’s third-largest trading partner and that further growth would depend on practical market access rather than political signaling alone.
German and Italian business leaders emphasized complementary opportunities in sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, green technology, smart manufacturing and digital services, arguing that future economic ties should be driven by innovation rather than zero-sum competition.
Digital platforms are also playing a growing role. JD.com announced plans to introduce 1,000 new overseas brands to the Chinese market in 2026, highlighting how e-commerce is lowering entry barriers for foreign suppliers seeking access to Chinese consumers.
For multinational firms, executives said China’s appeal lies not only in its scale — a market of 1.4 billion consumers — but also in the expanding middle-income population and rising demand for quality goods.
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and regulatory uncertainties, business leaders said China’s continued emphasis on opening its market sends a clear signal: access to Chinese demand remains a central part of global growth strategies.
China Market Access