The eighth collective study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee emphasized active participation in the reform of the World Trade Organization

On the afternoon of September 27, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held the eighth collective study on the rules of the World Trade Organization and the reform of the World Trade Organization.  Necessary reform of the WTO is a common consensus and the trend of The Times. We need to better balance both domestic and international interests, development and security, and deeply understand the importance and urgency of participating in the reform of the WTO. With a more positive sense of historical responsibility and a creative spirit, we should take a multi-faceted part in the reform of the WTO and the adjustment of international economic and trade rules, and promote deep-level reform and high-quality development with a high level of opening up.

Gu Xueming, director and researcher of the Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce, explained this issue and put forward work suggestions. Comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee listened carefully to the explanation and held discussions.

Xi Jinping delivered an important speech after listening to explanations and discussions. He pointed out that joining the World Trade Organization is a milestone in China's opening up. In just over 20 years, China's total trade in goods has increased by 11 times, becoming the world's largest trading country in goods and a major trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, contributing nearly 30% to global economic growth on average annually. Historical changes have taken place in the relationship between China and the WTO, from a passive recipient of international economic and trade rules and active integration, gradually growing into an important participant. Facts show that China's accession to the WTO has not only accelerated its own development, but also benefited the whole world. This major decision is completely correct.

 We should stand firmly on the right side of history, stick to the general direction of economic globalization, make a clear stand for free trade and genuine multilateralism, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, oppose the politicization, weaponization and pan-security of economic and trade issues, and work for an open world economy. We should uphold the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and refine and refine China's plan to participate deeply in the reform of the WTO on multiple fronts. We will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of other developing countries, including China.

 This year marks the 45th anniversary of reform and opening up. We should continue to do a good job of self-reform, expand the door of opening-up, and keep the path of reform steady. We need to take more initiative to align high-standard international economic and trade rules, steadily expand institutional opening up based on rules, regulations, management and standards, accelerate opening up to the outside world, build a new system for an open economy at a higher level, and accelerate the construction of a new development pattern. We should actively foster a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized professional business environment, take the opportunity to join the MultiFaceted and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership as an opportunity to further stimulate import potential, expand market access, promote in-depth development of multilateral and bilateral cooperation, and enhance the attractiveness of foreign investment. It is necessary to speed up the building of a strong trading country, upgrade trade in goods, innovate trade in services, develop digital trade, and further enhance the status of the international division of labor in the direction of digital green, and move towards the middle and high end of the global value chain. At the same time, we must pay attention to safeguarding national economic security.

 We will make full use of China's successful experience in opening up and development, strengthen strategic, systematic and forward-looking planning for opening up, and fully understand new developments and problems in the international economic and trade field, so that we have a clear idea, have a plan in hand, and take strong actions. We will improve the ability to maintain our country's development rights and interests with international rules, and accelerate the development of a high-level professional opening up work force with high political integrity, high skills and fine style. We should balance openness and security, safeguard security, enhance rights and interests, and seek cooperation and win-win results in the struggle.