A Chinese representative submitted a proposal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on advancing trade-investment integration to promote industrialization ahead of a series of meetings held by the body from Monday to Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Chinese representative said at the meeting that China proposed to discuss advancing industrialization through trade-investment integration at the WTO both because of China's experience accumulated across different stages of its industrialization, and as a response to the demand of the Global South for universally beneficial and inclusive development of economic globalization.
The Chinese side proposed that the follow-up discussions should center on three key areas: exchanging members' practical experience in boosting industrialization via trade-investment integration, reviewing existing relevant WTO rules and instruments, and leveraging multilateral development cooperation mechanisms such as Aid for Trade.
The Comoros, Benin, Chad, Mali and The Gambia announced their co-sponsorship of China's proposal at the meeting.
The Gambia, which serves as the coordinator of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Group, spoke highly of China's proposal, noting that it aligns closely with the group's economic development priorities and supports follow-up discussions on the proposal.
Developed members including the European Union, Britain and Norway expressed positive comments on the constructive nature of China's proposal and expressed willingness to engage in follow-up discussions on trade-investment integration.
China advocates trade-investment integration at WTO meeting
