China News Service, Beijing, December 7 (Reporter Ma Haiyan) "Looking back on the road to struggle and sailing on a new journey-China's participation in the WTO (World Trade Organization) Dispute Settlement Forum for the 20th Anniversary" was held on the 6th at the University of International Business and Economics.

Li Chenggang, Permanent Representative of China to the WTO and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, said that important changes have taken place in the external world. Under the multiple impacts of populism and the new crown epidemic, the WTO has fallen into a crisis. The dispute settlement mechanism has been eclipsed by the suspension of the Appellate Body. Facing more complex risks and challenges.

Facing these challenges, it is necessary to learn experience and wisdom from historical practice, continue to make good use of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, and promote its further improvement and development.

  Li Chenggang said that China’s accession to the WTO is an important milestone in China’s reform, opening up, and modernization. Actively using the WTO dispute settlement mechanism to resolve trade disputes is the epitome of China’s deep participation in global economic governance and the promotion of the development and improvement of international economic and trade rules. With the WTO as the cornerstone of the multilateral trading system, the responsibility and responsibility of real multilateralism are fulfilled.

  Regarding the practice of dispute settlement in the 20 years of China’s accession to the WTO, Li Chenggang pointed out that in the past 20 years, China has greatly improved its ability and level to use WTO rules to firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests, and has gradually grown from bystanders and learners to active participants and main users. , Has made significant progress in response mentality, litigation team building, and daring to fight.

As the global share of China's economy changes from a "small man" to a "big man", we need to take the initiative to assume greater international responsibilities and provide more public products.

In the future, China should not only think about how to make good use of this mechanism and safeguard China's interests, but also think, design, and promote the reform of this mechanism from a broader perspective to make it more in line with the interests of all members.

  Regarding the future of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, Li Chenggang pointed out that although all parties intend to restore the vitality and authority of the mechanism through necessary reforms, there is currently no consensus on how and what to change, and substantive discussions have not yet begun.

In the process of reform, it is necessary to deeply think and study from the dimensions of what is the purpose of dispute settlement, what problems are facing dispute settlement, and where the future reform direction is going.

  Li Chenggang pointed out that in the face of major changes and new situations, China's role has become more important, and China's role has been more anticipated.

It is hoped that with the support of experts and scholars, China’s WTO dispute settlement can make further progress. While continuing to play a key role in firmly safeguarding national interests and unblocking the dual cycle of domestic and foreign countries, it also upholds the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and supports the WTO. As the core multilateral trading system, promote the rule of law process in the field of international economy and trade, and make greater contributions to the construction of an open world economy.

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