China's progress on business resumption on April 14

Amid further containment of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic, China is powering ahead in returning to work and resuming business and production. The following are the latest facts and figures:

— China's foreign trade showed signs of stabilizing in March with export and import both beating bearish market expectations.

Exports dipped 3.5 percent year-on-year in yuan terms last month while imports climbed 2.4 percent, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

— China's Ministry of Commerce has inked a memorandum of understanding with the country's biggest commercial lender, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, to help foreign trade and foreign-invested firms counter the impact of the novel coronavirus epidemic.

— China's major development and policy financial institutions have increased bond issuance to replenish their capital while they provide more loans to support the economy against the shock from the COVID-19 epidemic.

In March, the China Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of China and the Agricultural Development Bank of China have issued up to 486.4 billion yuan (about $69.06 billion) of bonds, data from financial information provider Wind showed.

— China pledged to expedite the construction of a free trade port in South China's Hainan province, as part of efforts to promote comprehensive reform and opening-up of the island.