At the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers’ Meeting held in Gqeberha, South Africa, Li Chenggang, China’s international trade representative and Vice Minister of Commerce, reaffirmed China’s commitment to multilateralism, WTO reform, and open global trade. The meeting, attended by ministers and international delegates, discussed inclusive trade growth, green industrialisation, and sustainable development frameworks.
The forum concluded with the adoption of the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers’ Statement and the Chair’s Summary, setting the stage for the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in November.
China’s Commitment to Fair and Open Trade
In his remarks, Li emphasised that China firmly supports the multilateral trading system and opposes unilateralism and protectionism. He highlighted China’s Global Governance Initiative and noted that Beijing has voluntarily chosen not to seek new special and differential treatment in current or future WTO negotiations, a move he said reflects China’s sense of responsibility as a major developing country.
Focus on Green Development and Inclusive Growth
Li urged G20 members to strengthen cooperation to address global challenges through openness, fairness, and sustainability. He called on all parties to remove trade barriers, avoid green protectionism, and leverage comparative advantages to support developing nations. Such efforts, he noted, would inject fresh momentum into green industrialisation and sustainable development worldwide.
China’s Role in Global Economic Growth
Reaffirming Beijing’s global economic role, Li stated that China continues to advance its own growth while contributing to global recovery. He emphasised that collective adherence to free trade principles and inclusive frameworks remains crucial for international stability.
On the sidelines of the event, Li held bilateral meetings with heads of several delegations and leaders of international organisations, including the WTO director-general, to discuss future trade cooperation and policy alignment.
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