China on Monday requested the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism to set up an expert panel over the United States' Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Underlining important contributions China's new energy vehicle (NEV) industry has made to global green energy transition and global response to climate change, a spokesperson of China's Ministry of Commerce said that China in March requested WTO consultations regarding parts of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act that subsidize NEVs. As the U.S. failed to reach a solution with China through consultations, the Chinese side put up a request for the setup of an expert panel.
The spokesperson pointed out that the U.S. IRA sets a premise on the use of products from the United States and other designated regions for subsidies, excluding products from China and other WTO members, artificially setting up trade barriers, and driving up the cost of green energy transition. No matter how the Act is sugar-coated, it cannot change the discriminatory, protectionist, and WTO-rule violating nature of the subsidies involved, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson pointed out that China's resolute advancement of the litigation process is to take practical actions to safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and to safeguard the joint international efforts to address climate change.
China agrees that WTO members should implement industrial subsidies in a manner in compliance with WTO rules, support green energy transformation, and promote economic and social development, the spokesperson said, stressing that China once again urges the United States to abide by WTO rules and stop abusing industrial policies to undermine international cooperation on climate change.
China requests WTO to establish panel over US act
The lineup for the 2025 Spring Festival movie season was officially revealed on Wednesday with six highly anticipated films set to hit the big screens in China on the first day of the Spring Festival on January 29.
The six films -- Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force, Ne Zha 2, Detective Chinatown 1900, Operation Leviathan, Boonie Bears: Future Return, and The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero -- span a range of genres and feature impressive creative teams.
Since pre-sales began on Jan 19, advanced sales for the holiday line-up were the fastest ever to reach 100 million yuan (about 13.8 million U.S. dollars).
At a launch ceremony for the Spring Festival movie season, held at the China National Film Museum in Beijing, the cast of each film highlighted the unique selling points of their movie.
"The viewers will not only uncover the hidden points of plot from the first installment of Creation of the Gods, but also get a real sense of the characters and their evolving relationships through a brand new theme," said Wuershan, director of the movie Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force.
Adapted from the classic Chinese martial arts novel by Jin Yong, The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero captures the essence of Chinese chivalry with its portrayal of selfless heroism.
described it as a story with stirring heroism.
"The soul-stirring and awe-inspiring heroic spirit conveyed by the film will be touching, memorable and romantic as well," said Tsui Hark, who directed the film.
The animated film Ne Zha 2 continues the adventures of hero Ne Zha -- a beloved Chinese mythological figure -- with a focus on comedy and spectacular visual effects.
Retaining its signature style, the popular detective series Detective Chinatown 1900 promises twists and turns with big production values and glittering special effects.
As China's first film about nuclear submarines, Operation Leviathan presents a broader underwater battlefield and more complex combat scenarios, offering a unique perspective on naval warfare.
The Great Hero -- the last chapter of the "Boonie Bears" sci-fi series -- combines extreme romance and bold imagination to take viewers on a futuristic adventure.
Different discount and subsidy policies for moviegoers during the Spring Festival were also announced at the launch event with local film authorities across the country organizing special events and promotions to encourage cinema visits.
Supporting institutions, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China UnionPay, Maoyan Entertainment, and Taopiaopia, are expected to provide at least 600 million yuan (about 83 million U.S. dollars) in subsidies for moviegoers during the holiday season.
Six new films set to hit China's big screens on Chinese New Year's Day