Original title: The WTO will hold another ministerial meeting at the end of this month after four years
China News Service, Beijing, November 25 (Reporter Liu Liang) The 12th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (MC12) will be held from November 30 to December 3 in Geneva, Switzerland. This is also the first time after four years that the WTO convened a ministerial meeting again.
Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Shu Jueting pointed out at a press conference on the 25th that the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core is the cornerstone of international trade. The WTO Ministerial Conference is an important meeting held at a critical moment in the development of economic globalization. Members are full of expectations for the results of the meeting and are conducting intensive consultations and serious preparations.
She stated that China is willing to work with all parties to support the inclusive development of the multilateral trading system, support the legitimate rights and interests of developing members, resolutely safeguard the status of the main channel for the formulation of international rules of the multilateral trading system, actively promote negotiations and make joint efforts in fisheries subsidy agreements, Strengthen international anti-epidemic cooperation, agriculture, domestic regulation of trade in services, and other areas to achieve positive results, promote the reform of the appellate body, e-commerce, investment facilitation and other issues to achieve staged progress, formulate the next work plan, and effectively maintain the authority and authority of the WTO. Effectiveness allows the WTO to play a greater role in the recovery of the world economy and global economic governance.
Regarding the fishery subsidy negotiations, she said that China supports the completion of fishery subsidy negotiations as soon as possible before the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference and the formulation of new subsidy rules. Reaching an agreement is conducive to the sustainable development of marine fisheries, and is of great significance to reinvigorating multilateralism and maintaining the status of the main channel for setting international rules for the multilateral trading system.
She said that members will also discuss the future direction and priorities of WTO reform at the meeting. Regarding the Appellate Body, China supports the early launch of the selection process and the restoration of the normal operation of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.
Shu Jueting also pointed out that for more than a year, WTO members have been discussing the exemption of certain intellectual property obligations for anti-epidemic materials such as the new crown pneumonia vaccine. Members generally look forward to reaching a consensus and finding a solution as soon as possible. She said that China has announced that China supports the exemption of intellectual property rights for the new crown pneumonia vaccine and also supports the WTO’s early decision on this. (over)
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