On the local time of the 7th, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, pointing out that China has ample resources and means to offset external adverse influences, and is confident and capable of promoting the sustained and healthy development of its own economy.
According to Xinhua News Agency, during the meeting Li Qiang stated that the current world trade situation has undergone great changes, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise, seriously impacting the international economic and trade order, and global economy and the development of various countries facing huge challenges. Against this backdrop, the international community's call for upholding the multilateral trade system is stronger, and the expectation for the WTO to play a more active role is rising.
Li Qiang believes that economic globalization is an irreversible historical trend. China will, as always, practice and uphold multilateralism and free trade, and is willing to join hands with the international community to promote the world economy's early return to the right track.
Li Qiang pointed out that China has ample resources and ways to offset external adverse impacts, is confident and capable of promoting its own economy's sustained and healthy development. This year, Beijing is implementing more active and effective macro policies, advancing strategies to expand domestic demand, launching special actions to boost consumption, and the huge demand unleashed by a market of over 1.4 billion people will continue to be released.
Okonjo-Iweala said that the current multilateral trade system is under impact, and global economic and trade growth faces severe challenges. WTO members should strengthen dialogue and cooperation, safeguard the multilateral trade system, and promote sustainable development.