UNCTAD SG Rebeca Grynspan Meets Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao in Beijing
UN Trade and Development Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan meets with H.E. Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing on 8 December to exchange views on the global economic and trade landscape and to deepen practical cooperation between UNCTAD and China. Li Chenggang, Representative and Vice Minister for International Trade Negotiations, also participated. Minister Wang highlighted China’s commitment to safeguarding the multilateral trading system and advancing high-level opening-up, as outlined in the newly adopted “15th Five-Year Plan” proposal. He emphasized China’s readiness to work with UNCTAD to promote a fair, inclusive and win-win international economic order and noted the launch of the “Export to China” initiative to support developing countries in accessing China’s large market. SG Grynspan welcomed China’s global initiatives and underscored their importance in strengthening an international system anchored in the United Nations. She emphasized the impact of high tariff policies on fragile economies, noting UNCTAD’s appreciation for China’s zero-tariff treatment for least developed and African countries with diplomatic ties. She reaffirmed UNCTAD’s commitment to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as green minerals, services trade and capacity-building linked to the “Export to China” initiative, in support of developing countries and the accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
