Ministry of Commerce: Increase the application of AI, big data, cloud computing and other technologies to promote the deep integration of online and offline second-hand goods distribution

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on December 11, the Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference. Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong said that in recent years, China's second-hand goods market has continued to expand. In 2024, China's second-hand goods transaction volume reached 1.69 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 28%, with an average compound growth rate of 12% in the past 6 years. At the end of last year, since the pilot work on the circulation of second-hand goods began, we have mainly promoted this work in terms of cultivating subjects, innovative methods, and standardizing order. In terms of the policy system, policy documents such as improving the recycling system for renewable resources such as used household appliances and furniture have been issued. In terms of pilot development, the first batch of 10 pilot cities and 28 pilot enterprises in the country was determined in accordance with the principle of selecting the best of the best, focusing on used mobile phones, etc. In terms of standard construction, industry standards such as “Second-hand Goods (Used Goods) Terminology” and related national standards are formulated and revised.

Judging from the results, there is a clear trend of innovation and transformation in the second-hand goods market, and some physical markets have “revitalized”. In the next step, we will focus on the following tasks in response to the current blockages: First, adhere to a high starting point and high standards, and turn the circulation of second-hand products into a “clean” Chaoyang industry. Guide industry operators to consciously demand strict requirements for themselves with a high starting point and high standards, and resolutely put an end to acts such as replicating the old with the new, falsifying the truth, and substituting good. The second is to focus on new business formats and new scenarios to turn the circulation of second-hand goods into an “attractive” green consumption highland. Develop new business formats such as second-hand product leasing, auctions, split sales, and after-sales repurchases in an orderly manner. Develop new consumption scenarios such as immersive offline experience stores, “used+culture and creativity” and “used+rental” around diverse scenarios. The third is to raise the level of digitalization and make the circulation of second-hand goods into an “innovation-driven” cutting-edge business format. Increase the application of technologies such as AI, big data, and cloud computing to promote the deep integration of online and offline second-hand goods distribution.

The original text is as follows:

Ministry of Commerce holds regular press conference (December 11, 2025)

[He Yadong]: Dear Reporters and Friends:

Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to the Ministry of Commerce's regular press conference. I have no information I need to share with you today. Next, I would like to answer the questions raised by my journalist friends.

Please ask questions below.

[Economic Reference Journal Reporter]: Customs closure and operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port is imminent. What support measures does the Ministry of Commerce have in building the Hainan Free Trade Port to a high standard and further expanding a high level of openness?

[He Yadong]: On December 18, the Hainan Free Trade Port will begin customs clearance operations. Since 2025, according to the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee, the Ministry of Commerce has carefully prepared all preparations for customs clearance operations to promote the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port with a high level of openness.

The first is to prepare for the implementation of customs clearance policies. In order to enhance the transparency and openness of trade management, the Ministry of Commerce issued the “List of Prohibited and Restricted Goods and Items at the Hainan Free Trade Port”, which relaxed the import management of 98 commodity code products and further optimized the trade management model. After the list was introduced, Hainan was guided to introduce supporting supervision measures, and simulation exercises were carried out to improve the details of policy implementation, strengthen risk identification and prevention, and ensure smooth implementation of the policy.

The second is to support Hainan's open innovation and development. Promote the implementation of pilot projects such as temporary inbound repairs and imports of remanufactured products to meet high international economic and trade rules in Hainan, and guide Hainan to publish a negative list of data outbound management. Support the establishment of a comprehensive cross-border e-commerce pilot zone on the entire island of Hainan, thoroughly implement the negative list of cross-border trade in services, promote the expansion and opening up pilot projects in the fields of medical care and value-added telecommunications in an orderly manner, and helped Hainan's trade in services grow by 23.1% in the first three quarters, and the actual use of foreign capital increased by 42.2%.

In the next step, the Ministry of Commerce will use customs clearance as an opportunity to vigorously promote institutional openness and strive to make the Hainan Free Trade Port an important gateway leading to China's opening up to the outside world in the new era. We will coordinate development and security, implement customs clearance policies in accordance with the requirements of steady and steady implementation of the customs clearance policy, promote the smooth connection and formation of joint efforts between trade management policies and policies such as “zero tariffs” and duty-free processing, and fully release the dividends of openness. Actively expand independent openness, actively connect with high-standard international economic and trade rules, expand market access and open areas with a focus on the service industry, improve the negative list management system for cross-border trade in services, and formulate policies and measures to raise the level of trade liberalization and facilitation. Organize the China International Consumer Goods Fair and create an iconic “Buy in China” exhibition. Organize activities such as “Invest in China” and “Export to China” to help build the Hainan Free Trade Port and expand more opportunities for international cooperation. Thank you.

[Phoenix TV Reporter]: According to reports, China and Europe held trade remedy talks this week, and the European Commission recently initiated a review of price promises made by individual Chinese companies in the EU electric vehicle countervailing case. What comments does the Chinese side have on this?

[He Yadong]: China and Europe just held a trade remedy dialogue this week and will continue discussions next week. China welcomes the European side once again restarting price commitment negotiations, and appreciates the European side's return to the path of resolving differences through dialogue.

What I want to emphasize is that the China Mechatronics Chamber of Commerce has been commissioned by different types of Chinese companies to propose solutions representing the overall position of the industry. China and Europe have conducted many rounds of discussions on this, and have achieved certain results. If the European side were to have separate negotiations with individual enterprises at the same time as negotiations with China, it would not be conducive to maintaining mutual trust between the two sides, nor to promoting overall efficiency.

We hope that the European side will effectively implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and Europe, strictly abide by the principle of non-discrimination, and properly resolve the friction as soon as possible through dialogue and consultation on the basis of earlier efforts, so as to create an open and stable market environment for the development of the Chinese and European industries. Thank you.

[Xinhua News Agency Reporter]: In December of last year, the Ministry of Commerce issued a notice to organize pilot work on the circulation of second-hand goods. How has the pilot progressed over the past year, and what are the next difficult points to focus on?

[He Yadong]: In recent years, China's second-hand goods market has continued to expand. In 2024, China's second-hand goods transaction volume reached 1.69 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 28%, with an average compound growth rate of 12% in the past 6 years. At the end of last year, since the pilot work on the circulation of second-hand goods began, we have mainly promoted this work in terms of cultivating subjects, innovative methods, and standardizing order. In terms of the policy system, policy documents such as improving the recycling system for renewable resources such as used household appliances and furniture have been issued. In terms of pilot development, the first batch of 10 pilot cities and 28 pilot enterprises in the country was determined in accordance with the principle of selecting the best of the best, focusing on used mobile phones, etc. In terms of standard construction, industry standards such as “Second-hand Goods (Used Goods) Terminology” and related national standards are formulated and revised.

Judging from the results, there is a clear trend of innovation and transformation in the second-hand goods market, and some physical markets have “revitalized”. In the next step, we will focus on the following tasks in response to the current blockages: First, adhere to a high starting point and high standards, and turn the circulation of second-hand products into a “clean” Chaoyang industry. Guide industry operators to consciously demand strict requirements for themselves with a high starting point and high standards, and resolutely put an end to acts such as replicating the old with the new, falsifying the truth, and substituting good. The second is to focus on new business formats and new scenarios to turn the circulation of second-hand goods into an “attractive” green consumption highland. Develop new business formats such as second-hand product leasing, auctions, split sales, and after-sales repurchases in an orderly manner. Develop new consumption scenarios such as immersive offline experience stores, “used+culture and creativity” and “used+rental” around diverse scenarios. The third is to raise the level of digitalization and make the circulation of second-hand goods into an “innovation-driven” cutting-edge business format. Increase the application of technologies such as AI, big data, and cloud computing to promote the deep integration of online and offline second-hand goods distribution. Thank you.

[Shanghai Securities News Reporter]: The growth rate of China's goods trade reached 4.1% in November, and has maintained year-on-year growth for 10 consecutive months. How do you view the next development trend of China's foreign trade, and what measures will be taken to promote the steady growth of foreign trade?

[He Yadong]: Thank you for your question. Since this year, in the face of a complex and severe external environment, China's foreign trade has bucked the trend, achieved steady improvement in quantity and quality, and showed plenty of vitality through steady growth. In the first 11 months, China's total import and export value of goods was 41.21 trillion yuan, an increase of 3.6% over the previous year. Currently, uncertainties and uncertainties in the global economic and trade sector have increased significantly, and production and supply chains have been profoundly adjusted. This is a common challenge faced by all countries, including China. We believe that in the future, China's foreign trade can overcome difficulties and continue to inject stable strength into global economic and trade development.

In the next step, we will work with local authorities and relevant departments to implement various policies to stabilize foreign trade, actively promote market diversification, strengthen service guarantees for enterprises to develop markets; expand intermediates trade and green trade to promote innovative trade development; promote balanced import and export development and continue to build a “export to China” brand; enhance trade promotion platform functions, support the development of new business formats and models such as cross-border e-commerce and overseas warehouses, and promote the quality and efficiency of foreign trade. Thank you.

[Henan Radio and Television Reporter]: We have noticed that the Ministry of Commerce recently held the National Retail Industry Innovation and Development Conference. Can you explain what measures the Ministry of Commerce will take to promote innovation, transformation and high-quality development of the retail industry?

[He Yadong]: The retail industry is the basic industry of the national economy, and it is also the key link in the trade circulation system closest to consumers.

The Ministry of Commerce will plan innovation, transformation and high-quality development of the retail industry during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, and increase policy support. The first is to put forward opinions to accelerate the innovation and development of the retail industry, coordinate planning and rational layout, improve product service quality, collaborate to optimize inventory growth, promote fair competition online and offline, and achieve healthy interaction between new supply and demand. The second is to summarize good experiences and good practices in various regions, develop new business formats, new models, and new scenarios, pay more attention to sinking markets, and stimulate consumption potential. The third is to promote retail innovation and upgrading projects, create a number of leading and motivating retail scenarios through urban pilot projects, launch a number of integrated and innovative business models, cultivate a number of internationally competitive retail enterprises, and promote the construction of a modern retail system. Thank you.

[Dutch Radio and Television Association Reporter]: How are negotiations between the Netherlands and China on Anshi Semiconductors going so far? Can you elaborate on how China determines which companies can import chips from Anshi Semiconductors?

[He Yadong]: In recent times, in accordance with the agreement reached in negotiations with the Dutch Ministry of Economy, China has been actively promoting Wingtech to start negotiations with Anse (the Netherlands) as soon as possible to resolve internal corporate disputes. Recently, Wingtech issued a letter to the independent directors and equity custodians of Anse (Netherlands) inviting the other party to come to China to discuss control of the enterprise and restore the stability and smooth flow of the supply chain, demonstrating its sincerity in resolving the issue. The Chinese side has already passed the Dutch Embassy in China to request the Dutch Ministry of Economy to implement consultations and agreements with the Chinese side and push Anse (the Netherlands) to send personnel to China as soon as possible.

What I want to emphasize is that the Anse Semiconductor issue is caused by the Dutch government's improper administrative intervention in business operations. The Dutch Ministry of Economy is responsible for taking effective constructive and substantive measures to repeal the executive order, push former Anse (Netherlands) executives to withdraw their lawsuits from the corporate court, and create favorable conditions for internal negotiations within the company. China has taken practical measures to exempt compliant exports for civilian use, demonstrating a responsible attitude in maintaining the safety and stability of the global semiconductor supply chain. We hope that the Dutch side will take practical action to resolve the Anshi semiconductor issue. Thank you.

[Bloomberg Reporter]: Mexico announced additional tariffs on China and other Asian countries. Previously, China had indicated that any unilateral imposition of tariffs would be regarded as a compromise against US bullying. If Mexico doesn't lift tariffs, how will China react? Will countermeasures be taken?

[He Yadong]: Thank you for your question. Regarding questions relating to Mexico, we have just responded; you can check the Ministry of Commerce's website. Thank you.

This article was edited by “Ministry of Commerce”; Zhitong Finance Editor: Li Fu.