Contrary to economic laws, Li Qiang Meets with World Trade Organization Director General Ivela: The so-called "reducing dependence" and "removing risks" impact the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system. Free trade | protectionism | China | the world | the system | trade | the World Trade Organization
On the afternoon of June 26th, Premier Li Qiang met with the Director General of the World Trade Organization, Ibrahimovic, in Tianjin.
Li Qiang stated that free trade and division of labor and cooperation are objective requirements for the development of social productivity, while multilateralism and unity and cooperation are inevitable choices for addressing global challenges. The so-called "reducing dependence" and "removing risks" proposed by some countries are essentially politicizing and ideologizing economic and trade issues. They not only violate the basic principles of free trade and non discrimination advocated by the World Trade Organization, undermine the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system, but also violate economic laws, disrupt global industrial and supply chain security and stability, and ultimately hinder the process of world economic recovery.
Li Qiang pointed out that as the largest developing member of the World Trade Organization, China has maintained the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as its core and fulfilled its accession commitments over the past 20 years. This has not only developed itself but also benefited the world. China is willing to work with all parties to support multilateralism and free trade, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, enhance the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, promote world economic recovery, and better respond to global challenges.
Li Qiang stated that China supports necessary reforms of the World Trade Organization and will fully and deeply participate in negotiations in various fields to maintain its position as the main channel for the formulation of international rules in the multilateral trading system. As the largest developing country and a responsible major country, China will assume responsibilities and obligations that are in line with its own level of economic development and capabilities, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.
Ivira stated that the world economy should not be fragmented, and decoupling will harm global economic development. Unilateralism and protectionism go against the trend of globalization. Since joining the World Trade Organization, China has continuously promoted opening up to the outside world, supported the multilateral trading system, and achieved remarkable development achievements that have attracted worldwide attention. The World Trade Organization appreciates China's important contribution to the success of the 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, and looks forward to building a strong partnership with China to make new contributions to promoting WTO reform and maintaining the multilateral trading system.
Chen Miner, Wu Zhenglong, and others attended the meeting.