Geneva (TDI): Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said on Sunday that China will continue its support for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to work as a stabilizer of international trade and to make greater contributions in addressing global challenges.
In his meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, He emphasized that the multilateral trading system, centered on the WTO, serves as the foundation of global trade and plays a crucial role in international economic governance.
He urged all parties to resolve differences and disputes through negotiations on an equal footing within the framework of WTO, to jointly safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and push for the stable and eamless functioning of global industrial and supply chains.
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Beijing will continue to participate comprehensively in the reform of the international trade body, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of developing nations, said the Chinese vice premier.
He, Beijing’s lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, also briefed the WTO chief on the high-level economic and trade meeting between Beijing and Washington held over the weekend in Geneva.
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For her part, Okonjo-Iweala stressed that the present international economic and trade growth faces serious difficulties, adding that WTO members should work jointly to safeguard a transparent and rule-based multilateral trading system, advance dialogue and collaboration on global trade issues, and work for a greater WTO role in facilitating trade liberalization, enhancing trade efficiency, and achieving global sustainable development goals.
