Work on Shanghai's No.14 subway line is in full swing on Monday as the city gradually shows economic recovery signs. So far, 23 stations out of the total 31 have been completed. Photo: cnsphotos

China is actively facilitating trade and investment cooperation, widening market access and promoting global economic recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

In an effort to boost economic recovery amid the pandemic, Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan this month exchanged views with his counterparts in Chile, New Zealand, Cambodia and Argentina, as well as peers in the Eurasian Economic Commission, on pandemic control, bilateral economic and trade relations and multilateral cooperation. 

China and Chile signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday to promote unimpeded trade cooperation and safeguard the multilateral trading system. Both sides have agreed to strengthen anti-virus cooperation and deepen bilateral economic and trade relations.

In a video conference with Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister Teodoro Ribera on Monday, Zhong said that China is willing to deepen economic and trade cooperation, maintain unimpeded trade and the multilateral trading system, and take economic and trade relations between the two countries to a new height. 

On July 25, Zhong had a telephone conversation with New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker.

Zhong noted that China is willing to work with New Zealand to strengthen global anti-virus cooperation as well as trade and investment cooperation under the APEC and other multilateral regional frameworks. He also said China is willing to firmly support the multilateral trading system and regional economic integration, and jointly maintain the stability of global industrial supply chains.

In a video conference on July 20, Zhong and Cambodian Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak jointly announced the conclusion of China-Cambodia FTA negotiations.

He said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Cambodia, and that a bilateral FTA will allow both countries to support one another, stabilize regional supply chains and promote regional economic recovery. 

On July 8, Zhong spoke on the phone with Andrey Slepnev, minister in charge of trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission, the regulatory body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

He said that China will synergize the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with the strategies of the EAEU, open the market to EAEU members, import more quality products, and promote investment cooperation in manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture and services.

On July 6, Zhong held a phone call with Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs Felipe Solá.

Zhong said China is willing to step up strategic connectivity with Argentina, and keep trade and investment open. He welcomed Argentina to take advantage of the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to export its competitive products to China.