China News Service Client Beijing, September 7 (Reporter Li Jinlei) At the 2021 China International Trade in Services Fair "Service Trade Open Development New Trend Summit Forum", Ma Jiantang, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Development Research Center of the State Council, said that despite Faced with the severe challenges of the epidemic and the resulting economic downturn and trade decline, the development of global service trade still brings us firm confidence.
Where does confidence come from?
Ma Jiantang said that confidence comes from the huge potential for the development of service trade. In the past ten years, the average growth rate of global service trade has reached twice the growth rate of goods trade, and its proportion and position in international trade have steadily increased.
Confidence comes from the strong drive of the recovery of trade in goods to productive services. The World Trade Organization predicts that global trade will grow by 7%-9% in 2021, which will surely lead to a rebound in trade in productive services.
Confidence comes from the fact that countries are working to improve the level of trade facilitation under the epidemic. As of the end of 2020, more than 93% of WTO members have approved trade facilitation agreements.
Confidence also comes from the fact that digitalization has brought strong new momentum to service trade. Strengthening digital trade cooperation is becoming an important engine for countries to promote the restoration of service trade and promote world economic growth.
Ma Jiantang believes that the opening up of the service industry and the development of service trade are important ways for countries to integrate into economic globalization and participate in international competition and cooperation.
Facing the serious challenges of the epidemic, we need to further enhance our confidence and strengthen cooperation to better promote the development of global service trade and help realize the recovery of the world economy.
He suggested that, first, we must enhance mutual trust and deepen the open development of service trade.
Countries should fully understand the importance of developing service trade, actively implement the multilateral Trade Facilitation Agreement, and stimulate the momentum and vitality of the development of cross-border service trade.
Strengthen international macro policy coordination and create a more open and inclusive institutional environment for the development of service trade.
Second, we should seek common ground while reserving differences, and discuss together to promote the development and cooperation of digital trade.
Adhere to the principles of openness, inclusiveness, equal cooperation, and mutual benefit and win-win results, through consultation, co-construction, and sharing of cohesion.
Strengthen digital infrastructure connectivity, jointly promote global digital transformation, promote cooperation between digital trading companies, and continue to optimize the institutional environment for digital trade development.
Third, we must jointly fight the epidemic and accelerate the construction of a human health community.
The developing and least developed economies are more affected by the epidemic than the developed economies. All parties should further strengthen cooperation and experience sharing in epidemic prevention and control, increase the supply of anti-epidemic materials and vaccines, and close the "anti-epidemic gap" and "immune gap" ".
Fourth, we must gather all the wisdom, enhance the exchange of think tanks, and strengthen the guidance of wisdom. In the current complex situation, rationally managing differences, scientifically responding to challenges, and promoting win-win development, there is an urgent need for think tanks to promote scientific spirit and professional awareness, and play the role of a bridge between the four parties and the media. (over)