Li Qiang Meets with Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

On the afternoon of June 26, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met in Tianjin with Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Li Qiang said that free trade and division of labour are objective requirements of the development of social productivity, and multilateralism, solidarity and cooperation are essential choices to cope with global challenges. The so-called “reducing dependence” and “de-risking,” as proposed by some countries, are essentially politicizing and ideologizing economic and trade issues, which violate the basic principles of free trade and non-discrimination advocated by the WTO, and undermine the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system. Such acts also run counter to economic laws, disrupt the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, and will ultimately hinder the process of global economic recovery.

Li Qiang pointed out that as the largest developing member of the WTO, China has always upheld the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and has fulfilled its WTO commitments over the past 20-plus years. China has brought benefits to the world while pursuing its own development. China stands ready to work with all parties to support multilateralism and free trade, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, enhance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, promote world economic recovery, and better respond to global challenges.

Li Qiang said that China supports the necessary reform of the WTO, and will participate in negotiations in various fields in a comprehensive and in-depth manner to uphold the position of the multilateral trading regime as the main channel for international rules-setting. As the world's largest developing country and a responsible major country, China will shoulder its responsibilities and obligations commensurate with its level of economic development and its capabilities, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that the world economy should not be fragmented, decoupling will undermine the world economic development, and unilateralism and protectionism run counter to the trend of globalization. Since its accession to the WTO, China has continued to advance opening-up, supported the multilateral trading system, and made remarkable achievements in development. The WTO appreciates China’s important contribution to the success of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference and looks forward to building a strong partnership with China, and making new contribution to promoting the reform of the WTO, and safeguarding the multilateral trading system.

Chen Min’er and Wu Zhenglong, among others, attended the meeting.