China reinforces its commitment to the multilateral trading system and will not seek new special treatment at the WTO.
The decision highlights China's leadership in global trade and support for multilateralism amid rising international protectionism.
247 - China has announced that it will not seek new mechanisms for special and differential treatment in current and future World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations. The decision was announced by Premier Li Qiang during a high-level meeting of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), held alongside the general debate of the 80th UN General Assembly. This news was originally published by [source missing]. Xinhua News Agency and echoed by Global Times.
Li stressed that, as a large, responsible developing country, China does not intend to claim new concessions. The statement received immediate praise from WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who stated: "This is the result of many years of hard work, and I want to applaud China's leadership on this issue."
Commitment to multilateralism
Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative and vice minister of commerce, explained at a press conference held by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) that the measure reflects both internal and external considerations, as well as consolidating China's position as a defender of global governance.
According to the deputy minister, the decision will "To promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment worldwide, as well as to inject new impetus into the reform of the global economic governance system."
He further emphasized that, since joining the WTO in 2001, China has legitimately benefited from the special treatment afforded to developing countries, but has always acted pragmatically and voluntarily to contribute to multilateral agreements.
Criticisms of protectionism and trade wars
Li Chenggang warned that the multilateral trading system faces severe challenges due to the rise of unilateralism and protectionism. “Certain countries have launched repeated trade and tariff wars, undermining the legitimate rights of WTO members, destabilizing the economic order, and creating uncertainty for global growth.”, he said.
In response to this scenario, the Chinese decision is seen as a demonstration of global responsibility. "China remains the largest developing country and will always be on the side of the Global South.""That's what the deputy minister reinforced."
Prospects for WTO reform
During the same press conference, Han Yong, director of the WTO Affairs Department at MOFCOM, highlighted three points that will remain unchanged: China's status as a developing country, the defense of the rights of other developing members, and the commitment to trade and investment liberalization.
Han added that Beijing will continue to firmly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, while upholding fundamental WTO principles such as non-discrimination.
Global responsibility and inclusive development
Experts consulted by Global Times They stated that the decision reinforces China's responsibility as the world's second-largest economy. Cong Yi, a professor at the Tianjin School of Management, highlighted that Beijing is forgoing additional advantages to allocate more public resources to countries in greater need. "China continues to strictly adhere to WTO principles, while simultaneously advancing unilateral and voluntary opening measures to support the stability of global trade.", he said.
With this stance, China reaffirms its leadership in favor of globalization and international cooperation, sending a clear message against the isolationism that threatens the multilateral system.
