At the Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai on November 5, World Trade Organization Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill underscored the transformative potential of international trade in promoting global prosperity and resilience. Speaking at a session titled “China and 30 Years of the World Trade Organization: History and Evolution,” Hill praised the critical role of trade in uniting economies and lifting livelihoods worldwide. She encouraged all nations, including China, to work collaboratively to build a thriving multilateral trading system that uplifts people across borders.
Hill’s remarks, delivered at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) held from November 5 to November 10, emphasized that trade has been a bridge connecting economies, cultures, and communities. Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of the World Trade Organization, Hill highlighted the organization’s remarkable impact, with 166 member nations now representing nearly eight billion people. Global trade in goods and services exceeded USD 30 trillion in 2023—six times what it was when the World Trade Organization was established.
Hill recognized China’s pivotal role in the global trade landscape, commending the nation’s impressive growth and contribution to the World Trade Organization since joining in 2001. She noted that China’s economic progress has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, with the nation’s per capita GDP rising from USD 1,000 to over USD 12,000. This remarkable development, she observed, serves as a powerful example of trade as a driver of economic empowerment and opportunity.
While celebrating the accomplishments of the past three decades, Hill acknowledged that today’s global landscape presents new and dynamic challenges, including climate change, digitalization, and public health concerns. She affirmed that, while the core principles of global trade—transparency and non-discrimination—remain essential, these evolving challenges may require fresh perspectives and adaptable trade policies to ensure that trade continues to benefit all.
Hill highlighted several initiatives among World Trade Organization members designed to address these emerging issues, including efforts in e-commerce, investment facilitation, domestic services regulation, and environmental sustainability. She commended China’s engagement in these areas, noting that as one of the world’s largest economies, China plays an essential role in supporting trade reform and advancing sustainable, inclusive growth.
Reflecting on China’s recent Trade Policy Review, Hill praised the country’s ongoing commitment to economic modernization and openness, describing these efforts as “an encouraging step toward building trust and collaboration in a world where cooperative solutions are increasingly important.”
Concluding her address, Hill called for continued unity among World Trade Organization members to create a future where trade serves as a force for good. “As we look to the next 30 years, I urge every member nation, including China, to work beyond differences and cultivate a trading system that brings prosperity to all,” she stated.
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