Ministry of Commerce: The total retail sales of consumer goods in the first quarter reached 12.5 trillion yuan, an increase of 4.6% year-on-year.

Organize and hold a wide variety of distinctive activities in the aspects of exquisite cuisine, exciting tourism, splendid exhibitions and performances.During the event, we will combine promoting consumption and benefiting the people's livelihood, focus on the concerns of the people, expand the supply of high-quality goods and services, innovate diverse consumption scenes, optimize and improve the consumption environment, and constantly enhance the people's sense of gain. We will coordinate commodity consumption and service consumption, allowing consumers to enjoy international boutique and Chinese trendy products, taste global cuisine, enjoy the magnificent landscapes, and appreciate exquisite performances. We will adhere to the dual-driving force of "policy + activities", accelerate the implementation of the revitalization of consumption special actions, actively expand the scope of trade-in for new consumption goods, implement the action to improve the quality of and benefit the people with service consumption, and speed up the introduction of policies and measures to optimize the departure tax refund, etc. "Shop in China" not only serves LBX Pharmacy Chain Joint Stock in China but also caters to people from all over the world. We sincerely welcome foreign friends to visit China, purchase Chinese products, taste Chinese cuisine, admire Chinese scenery, and experience the unique charm of "shopping in China" together. Regarding the second question you mentioned, cross-border e-commerce has unique advantages of high efficiency, fast delivery, and low costs, which can better meet consumers' personalized and diversified consumption needs. It is an important trend in the innovative development of international trade and has become an indispensable way of life for people. Recently, the United States made destructive adjustments to its small parcel tariff policy, which will seriously affect the interests of American consumers. It is worth emphasizing that cross-border e-commerce is a new type of trade that conforms to the trend of global consumption development, benefiting hundreds of millions of consumers. Policy adjustments in related areas should be geared towards facilitation. We are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with countries around the world to jointly promote the healthy and sustainable development of cross-border e-commerce. Thank you. [HK Economic Journalist]: I noticed that some media reports mentioned that under high tariffs, the European Union is intensifying efforts to reach free trade agreements in other regions because EU officials believe that relations with the United States will never return to the past. European Commission President Von der Leyen recently stated that the EU will further turn towards Asia. What is the Ministry of Commerce's comment on this? [He Yongqian]: Both China and Europe are advocates of economic globalization and trade liberalization, firm supporters and maintainers of the World Trade Organization. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Europe. China is willing to work together with the EU to enhance dialogue communication, expand mutual opening, deepen pragmatic cooperation, jointly uphold the multilateral trading system with the WTO as its core and rules as its foundation, safeguard the stability and smooth operation of the global industrial chain and supply chain. By enhancing the independence and stability of China-EU economic and trade relations, inject more certainty and positive energy into the world economy. Thank you. [Bloomberg Reporter]: President Trump issued a statement on Tuesday calling on China once again to extend an olive branch to him and stating, "The ball is in China's court, China needs to make a deal with us." What is the Ministry of Commerce's comment on this? At the working level, is the Ministry of Commerce in communication with the US? [He Yongqian]: The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has always maintained working-level communication with the relevant US departments. China's position has always been clear, and we are open to negotiations with the US in the economic and trade fields. The unilateral imposition of tariffs is entirely initiated by the US. "He who tied the bell should untie it." We urge the US to immediately stop its extreme pressure, coercion, and extortion, and resolve differences with China through equal dialogue based on mutual respect. Thank you. This article is compiled from the Ministry of Commerce, GMTEight Editor: Chen Wenfang.