On November 5, MOFCOM and the WTO jointly hosted the release meeting of the Chinese version of the World Trade Report 2018 at the News Center of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen and WTO Director-General Azevêdo attended the meeting and delivered speeches.
Wang Shouwen said that President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the first CIIE in the morning was very encouraging. President Xi pointed out that China has continuously expanded its opening up through which it has not only developed itself, but also benefited the world. China will not close its door but only open it even wider. China has always firmly upheld the rules of the WTO, supported the necessary reforms of the WTO, and jointly defended the multilateral trading system. It is hoped that all parties will thoroughly explore new ideas for the reform of the global economic governance system, jointly safeguard the free trade and the multilateral trading system, build an innovative, inclusive, and open world economy, and make unremitting efforts to build a better future for mankind.
Wang Shouwen pointed out that the WTO should keep pace with the times and actively respond to the demands of the industrial circle. In recent years, China has actively participated in the WTO's traditional and new issues, and has helped developing countries strengthen their capacity building to the best of their ability. China is willing to further strengthen cooperation with other members to jointly safeguard and strengthen the multilateral trading system and promote the development of the WTO towards a more inclusive and open direction. The 2018 World Trade Report, with the theme of digital technology, focuses on the impact of digital technology on global trade. It is timely, and will help Chinese readers learn more about the development experience of other countries and regions.
Azevêdo believed that the World Trade Report is the flagship publication of the WTO, and it conducts relevant analytical research on the hot issues of international trade every year. Focusing on the topic of digital technology, the World Trade Report 2018 deeply explores the impact of digital technology on international trade in different ways, pointing out that block chain, 3D printing, artificial intelligence and other technologies will profoundly change the international trade model. The report also believes that the development of digital technology will significantly reduce trade costs, and is expected to promote global trade growth by 2 percentage points per year. The report calls on all countries to work together to enhance the inclusiveness of technological change so that everyone can benefit from it.
Attending were relevant ministries and commissions of the State Council and representatives of the relevant units of Shanghai who participated in the first CIIE.
