Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao meets with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala during the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi. Photo: website of Chinese Ministry of Commerce

At the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed China's commitment to global trade governance and efforts to continuously push for economic and trade cooperation. The discussions focused on crucial agendas including trade dispute appellate and settlement system and cooperation in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Wang's participation emphasized China's role in fostering global economic and trade cooperation, engaging in conversations on reviving the WTO's effectiveness in global governance, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

During the meetings, Wang expressed China's willingness to implement free trade agreements effectively, highlighting cooperation with New Zealand in joining the CPTPP and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement. The dialogue underscored the significance of economic ties between China and New Zealand, with New Zealand's Trade Minister Todd McClay emphasizing the rapid growth of bilateral trade since the signing of their free trade agreement.

The bilateral trade relationship has flourished since their free trade agreement, McClay said. Both countries look forward to more communications to advance cooperation.

Meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Wang called for practical outcomes of the Ministerial Conference, advocating for initiatives to improve the global trade framework, which include restoring the dispute appellate and resolution mechanism and pushing for agreements on agricultural and fishery subsidies.

The WTO is an important pillar of multilateralism and an important stage for global economic governance, Wang noted, and he reiterated China's high regard for the WTO's role. He affirmed China's dedication to participating in WTO reforms.

Okonjo-Iweala praised China's constructive participation in WTO activities. She highlighted China's balanced approach to defending its interests while considering the collective needs of WTO members.

On the sidelines of the conference, Wang also discussed bilateral economic cooperation with the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani Al Zeyoudi. Their conversation aimed at ensuring the conference's success and deepening China-UAE trade relations.

Presenting at the China Round Table on WTO Accessions, a forum aimed at integrating developing countries into the multilateral trading system, Wang reaffirmed China's commitment to South-South cooperation within the multilateral trade system framework, aiming to enhance its openness, inclusiveness, and balanced nature, and to contribute to a global community of shared future.

According to the WTO, Wang signed the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding of the WTO's Least-Developed Countries and Accessions Programme with the WTO during the conference, underscoring China's effort to aid the developing economies. The initiative highlighted China's dedication to a more inclusive and balanced multilateral trade system, contributing to global development goals.