商务部前副部长魏建国：2020年中国GDP增速仍有望达到6%

3月19日下午，中国国际交流中心副理事长、商务部原副部长魏建国先生主持召开了一场长达90分钟的网络研讨会，就 “后疫情时代企业面临的机遇及挑战" 这一主题与中国欧盟商会会员企业代表进行在线交流，并分享了对经济趋势的个人看法和观点。此次研讨会的问答环节由毕马威首席经济学家康勇博士主持。

On 19th March, Mr Wei Jianguo, former vice minister of Commerce and current vice chair of the China Centre for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), hosted a 90-minute webinar for member representatives of the European Chamber. Mr Wei shared his views on the economic trends and the opportunities and challenges for companies in the post-pandemic era. The webinar included half an hour of Q&As, moderated by Dr Kang Yong, the chief economist of KPMG.

Mr Wei stated that, regarding the domestic economic situation, while China’s GDP in the first quarter of this year may be reduced, the overall economic goal for the whole year can still be achieved, i.e. GDP growth to reach 6 percent.

He also said that though China’s consumption capacity is temporarily suppressed because of the outbreak of COVID-19, a huge rebound is coming. China’s total consumption for 2019 was Chinese yuan (CNY) 40 trillion, which is expected to grow 6 per cent to CNY 45 trillion this year. In addition, as COVID-19 spreads overseas, Mr Wei believes that this will be a good opportunity for China to expand exports.

During the webinar, Mr Wei also mentioned that China will continue to reform the overall market economy after the virus outbreak is brought under control. He said,

“The government will enforce the protection of intellectual property rights and equal treatment of domestic and foreign enterprises, continue to reduce the negative list, and increase foreign access to licenses to ensure China's high-quality economic development. ”

Mr Wei said he believes that China will create the best business environment in the world.