Chinese retailers are stepping up efforts to support domestic exporters following sweeping United States tariffs.
Recently, the U.S. has launched several rounds of tariff hikes on Chinese imports, bringing the total effective tariff rate on Chinese imports to 145 percent.
China's Ministry of Commerce has encouraged export-oriented enterprises to redirect high-quality, cost-effective products to the domestic market.
Many domestic retailers have responded by announcing new measures to support exporters.
One of China's leading retailers -- Inzone Group, which is based in Jinan City, east China's Shandong Province, has rolled out a slew of measures to support domestic enterprises challenged by export disruptions.
It issued a letter to its supply partners, announcing a rapid-response sales channel and specially designated in-store display areas called the "Premium Foreign Trade Products Zone".
It even sets aside a meeting room specifically to assist exporters struggling with the latest round of U.S. tariffs.
Another effort is to open additional online platforms to promote high-quality Chinese products originally intended for international markets.
"In the retail sector, many companies have actively initiated proposals and calls to action. I believe this is our responsibility, as a retailer, and especially as a state-owned enterprise," said Cheng Xiaoyong, vice general manager of Inzone Group.
So far, more than 120 exporters and manufacturers have joined Inzone's initiative.
According to Cheng, the company expects these products to hit shelves and platforms within just 15 days.
"These export products have gone through rigorous testing and certification. Their manufacturing processes are mature. The cost for them to compete is relatively low, even in our domestic market," he said.
Consumers said they will support domestically-made products and are confident about China's economic resilience.
"As a consumer, I will continue to support domestic products as always, contributing to economic development," said Li Xiaoyan, a consumer.
"There's no need to panic because our country has strong resilience and the ability to respond effectively," said Pan Yitong, another consumer.
Chinese retailers offer strong support to exporters amid US tariff hikes
The China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum is expected to bring new vitality to the global development and human civilization, said Colombian President Gustavo Petro in Beijing.
Petro, who delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum on Wednesday, told China Media Group (CMG) in an interview, while giving a special mention of the importance of the forum as a platform to reshape multilateralism.
"This Forum, held here in China, comes at a pivotal moment in history. And that's precisely what makes it so significant. It is taking place at a time when multilateralism is in urgent need of reshaping. There are some powers who believe they can rule the world through intimidation and shows of force. But with China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries standing together, we must make them understand: history is full of hard lessons. Those who once flexed their military might did not prevail. They may have enjoyed momentary success in the past, but this time, history will not repeat itself," he said.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-CELAC Forum's operation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated in his speech delivered at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum that under the careful cultivation of both sides over the past 10 years, the China-CELAC Forum has grown from a tender sapling into a towering tree.
Petro hailed the relations between China and LAC countries over the past decade, saying that the cooperation is expected to energize the global development and human civilization.
"Yes, exactly, a tree. A strong and thriving tree, with deep and well-developed roots firmly anchored in the earth. There's no doubt that over the past ten years, trade in physical goods between China and LAC countries has grown substantially. China is involved in building the Bogota metro project. China is also constructing a port in Peru, and many other large-scale infrastructure projects are being advanced through Chinese investment and engineering expertise. When we link the cultural and civilizational threads of China and LAC countries, it's as if we are nurturing a living tree, one that grows tall toward the sky and promises to bring new vitality to the human civilization," he said.
China-CELAC Forum brings new vitality to global development: Colombian president
