What is the current economic situation? What are the new measures to stabilize foreign investment? How to further optimize the business environment? On the 20th, the National Development and Reform Commission held a press conference to discuss hot economic issues. Li Chao, Deputy Director and spokesperson of the Policy Research Office of the National Development and Reform Commission, conducted in-depth analysis and interpretation. Li Chao said that in April, facing a complex and severe external environment, the overall Chinese economy maintained stable growth, and the economic operation showed a strong ability to withstand pressure and internal driving force. The domestic demand space is constantly expanding, and the external demand market is becoming more diversified. In the first four months, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 16.2 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.7%; The online retail sales of physical goods increased by 5.8%. Fixed assets investment continued to expand and manufacturing investment grew rapidly. In April, the total import and export volume of goods increased by 5.6% year-on-year, with exports growing by 9.3%, maintaining a relatively fast growth rate. Production and supply have grown rapidly, and new momentum continues to be released. In April, high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing industries continued to maintain high-speed growth, with server production nearly doubling and industrial robot production increasing by 51.5%. It should also be noted that the external environment remains complex, severe, and uncertain. ”Li Chao stated that the National Development and Reform Commission will, on the basis of accelerating the implementation of established policies, work together with relevant departments to accelerate the introduction of several measures to stabilize employment, stabilize the economy, and promote high-quality development. At present, relevant departments are working hard to implement, and most policy measures will be implemented before the end of June as planned. At the same time, we will adhere to normalized and open policy research and reserve, continuously improve the policy toolbox for stabilizing employment and economy, and ensure timely implementation when necessary. Strive to complete the list of "dual" construction projects for this year by the end of June. Since 2024, the National Development and Reform Commission, together with relevant departments, has accelerated the high-quality implementation of key tasks related to the implementation of major national strategies and the construction of security capabilities in key areas. Li Chao said that in terms of "hard investment", a total of 700 billion yuan of ultra long term special treasury bond will be arranged in 2024, and nearly 500 billion yuan has been arranged in 2025 to support the construction of a number of major projects along the Yangtze River, such as transportation infrastructure, the citizenization of agricultural transfer population, and high standard farmland construction. In terms of "soft construction", we promote the formation of a long-term mechanism for project construction implementation and operation maintenance through planning, policy formulation, and innovative institutional mechanisms, and improve investment efficiency. It is reported that in the next step, the National Development and Reform Commission will work with relevant industry regulatory departments to highlight the strategic, forward-looking, and global nature of the "dual" projects, coordinate "hard investment" and "soft construction", strive to issue a list of all "dual" construction projects for this year by the end of June, and carry out high standard organizational implementation. At the same time, we will continue to promote "soft construction" measures, improve investment mechanisms, and enhance investment efficiency. Li Chao stated that the National Development and Reform Commission will make greater efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment in accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, and continue to create favorable conditions for multinational corporations to invest and develop in China. Specifically, one is to revise and expand the list of industries that encourage foreign investment. At present, the public solicitation of opinions has been completed, and modifications and improvements are being made based on feedback from various sectors of society. The high-end manufacturing industry, digital economy, and other fields that are of concern to all parties will be fully reflected in the new encouraged catalog. The second is to study and formulate policies and measures to encourage foreign-invested enterprises to reinvest domestically, supporting foreign-invested enterprises to carry out reinvestment from the aspects of strengthening factor guarantees, optimizing financial support, improving reinvestment convenience, and providing full process service guarantees for reinvestment projects. Thirdly, we will continue to leverage the role of specialized teams for major foreign investment projects, and open up green channels in planning, land use, sea use, environmental impact assessment, energy consumption, and other aspects to accelerate the implementation of projects. Fourthly, we will continue to carry out special actions to serve foreign-funded enterprises. The National Development and Reform Commission has established a "one-on-one" visit mechanism for key foreign-funded enterprises to track their investment and operation dynamics in China, timely listen to opinions and suggestions, and promote the resolution of practical problems. China will continue to be a fertile ground for foreign investment and development. We also call on relevant countries to return to the correct track of multilateralism and free trade as soon as possible, and jointly inject certainty into the development of the world economy. ”Li Chao said. Deepening the action of improving and enhancing the business environment is an important lever to boost social confidence, stimulate market vitality, and enhance development momentum. Li Chao stated that the National Development and Reform Commission will focus on prominent issues and carry out in-depth actions to improve and enhance the business environment. It is reported that in terms of relaxing market access, the National Development and Reform Commission will work with relevant parties to accelerate the improvement of the market access system. At the same time, we will guide various regions to formulate more realistic and forward-looking admission standards for new fields and formats, promote innovative allocation of production factors, and improve admission efficiency. In addition, in terms of strengthening financing and credit enhancement, the National Development and Reform Commission will work with relevant parties to continue to make good use of the financing coordination mechanism to support small and micro enterprises, and accurately carry out bank enterprise docking; Strengthen the sharing of credit information and deepen the work of "Credit Easy Loan". In terms of clearing overdue corporate accounts, we will work with relevant parties to improve the government's integrity performance mechanism, refine the standards for identifying government arrears and punishment measures for dishonesty, strengthen contract performance tracking and verification, and collect the performance of contracts signed and guided by the government on the national credit information sharing platform. The Private Economy Promotion Law will officially come into effect on the 20th. Li Chao stated that in order to promote the effective use of the Private Economy Promotion Law in all aspects, the National Development and Reform Commission will focus on carrying out comprehensive legal publicity activities, accelerating the implementation and effectiveness of supporting policy measures, and working with relevant departments and localities to effectively address the concerns and issues of private enterprises in the implementation of the law. (New Society)