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Ph:DR: Mr. Li Chenggang, China’s Ambassador to the WTO
At the WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, the graduation of LDCs is one of the key topics of this thirteenth global meeting. The graduation of LDCs represents an important step in the development of these countries. However, the phasing out of international support measures associated with LDC status may pose challenges for affected countries as they seek to fully integrate into the global economy. The main objective of the WTO is to help developing countries participate fully in the global trading system. To this end, duty-free market access opportunities are now offered to LDCs with measures that encourage preferential rules of origin to be simple and transparent, so that LDC exports can benefit from them. During the question-and-answer exercises, His Excellency, Mr. Li CHENGGANG, Ambassador to the WTO, reaffirms support of China in the smooth transition of graduated LDCs through various responses.
Aline ASSANKPON
Mr. Li CHENGGANG, ministers adopted a ministerial decision that responds to a 23-year-old mandate to review the provisions relating to Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) for developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs) in with a view to making them more precise, more efficient and more operational. What support does China offer LDCs in their graduation process? Is China ready to continue the current preferential facilitation?
Li CHENGGANG: Regarding the theme of “Leading Developed Countries”, a growing number of LDCs meet the criteria for graduation and 19 of the 35 WTO LDCs. Two members are on the path to graduation from the LDC category, it is more imperative than ever to explore the paths forward within the WTO to facilitate the smooth transition of LDCs.
China supports the smooth transition of graduated LDCs. Supportive measures, such as the extension of preferential trade agreements for market access, will help encourage LDCs to formulate national transition strategies and provide them with a predictable and reliable trading environment. This is why China is extending its duty-free treatment to graduated LDCs for three years. This means that after LDC exit, China will continue to provide zero tariff treatment to 98% of the tariff lines of products originating from LDCs for another three years.
In addition, China provides various forms of technical assistance and capacity building support to graduating LDCs. For example, the China program helps graduating LDCs better participate and benefit from the WTO by organizing accession roundtables and South-South dialogues. Looking forward, we call on all WTO members to participate constructively in relevant discussions to help LDCs in the graduation process and those who have already graduated to better integrate into the system global trade.
On the commercial level, China is one of Africa’s main partners. Could this influence the decisions of certain African states in the WTO negotiations?
China attaches great importance to the development of trade relations with Africa. China has been Africa’s main trading partner for 15 consecutive years. In 2023, Sino-African trade hits a record
What is China’s strategy in investing so much on the African continent, particularly in Mali, with the construction of large infrastructures (university, bridge, some in the form of donations, others in the form of loans)?
Infrastructure construction is a traditional and key area of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, and the two sides have achieved remarkable results in cooperation. In recent years, China-Africa infrastructure cooperation has expanded from traditional forms such as aid and contract projects to emerging models such as investment and public-private partnership (PPP).
A number of landmark projects were built in the fields of transportation, energy and communications, and a number of “small but beautiful” livelihood projects were implemented in the fields of water supply , health and education. These projects have not only brought tangible benefits to the lives of local people, but also actively promoted the African integration process, helped Africa build an efficient large market, and helped Africa strengthen its chain security. industrial and the connectivity of its value chain.
Beyond the economic aspect, China also exports its culture to the continent, notably through the creation of a language center, organization of visits to China, etc.; all this for what purpose?
“Friendship between peoples is the key to relations between States. » People-to-people connectivity is an important part of the Belt and Road. Initiative and social foundation for advancing the Belt and Road Initiative. China has established cultural centers in Africa and offered African students the opportunity to visit China. The main goal is to improve mutual understanding between the Chinese and African people, consolidate the social foundation of win-win cooperation, and accumulate non-governmental strength for high-quality development of the “China” initiative. Belt and Road Initiative”, jointly achieve common prosperity and promote the construction of a China-Africa community with a shared future.
We will work hard to increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges with African countries, so as to open a sunny path for China and Africa to win the hearts of the people and improve their lives.
Mr. Ambassador of China, what was your response to this expression: “China has been the biggest obstacle as co-chair of the Committee of Official Creditors in resolving Zambia’s debt” and what can other developing countries in a similar situation learn from the process?
As co-chair of the Zambia Creditors Committee, China has made important contributions to Zambia’s debt elimination work. China will continue to maintain close communications and friendly consultations with Zambia and relevant parties and continue to play its role in resolving the Zambian debt issue.
According to figures released by the Zambian Ministry of Finance, Western commercial creditors and multilateral financial institutions, which account for a relatively high proportion of Zambia’s external debt, should take responsibility and take stronger measures to ease the debt burden. Zambia’s debt.
We believe that when faced with the debt of Zambia and other developing countries, mutual understanding and trust among stakeholders is an important prerequisite for finding the best solution. (WTO/media)
