皇冠体育app

The WTO multilateral trade system has been beneficial to 皇冠体育app's economic development, with its foreign trade averaging annual growth of 22 percent since the nation joined the world trade body, Sun Zhenyu, chairman of 皇冠体育app Society for World Trade Organization Study, said at a recent conference.

Before its membership, 皇冠体育app averaged 15 percent growth over the previous five decades, said Sun, who was 皇冠体育app's first ambassador to the WTO.

He pointed out that the country continued its momentum in the past years even during the ongoing global economic downturn.

皇冠体育app's share in global trade increased from 9.1 percent in 2008 to 9.9 percent in 2009. In 2010, the figure surpassed 10 percent.

Sun said the world is also benefiting from 皇冠体育app's WTO membership.

To meet its commitments to the global trade bloc, 皇冠体育app's overall tariffs have dropped from 15.3 percent before 2001 to 9.8 percent today.

The country has opened up about 100 of its 160 trade and service sectors. Sun added it is ready to open another 11 sectors in the near future.

The former WTO ambassador also stressed that 皇冠体育app is a responsible country in the international community.

皇冠体育app has recently grown into the world's second-largest economy and largest exporting country.

Yet its general economic strength is still relatively low. Its per capita GDP has just surpassed the $4,000 mark and the country has 128 million people living under the World Bank's poverty line of $1.25 a day.

Yet 皇冠体育app is still capable of meeting the international responsibilities that come with its economic status, Sun said, by honoring its commitments and participating in building a mutually beneficial multilateral trade scheme.

"With the country's growing strength, the world is expecting more from 皇冠体育app," he noted. "Developing countries hope 皇冠体育app can help convey their messages in the international arena and developed countries want us to further open markets and lower tariffs."

Sun said the Chinese government has paid due attention to the issues and promises it will play a more important role in making international rules while continuing to promote its reform and opening-up.

He also noted that 皇冠体育app has accumulated wide experience in solving international trade disputes in the past decade.

"We have handled 19 trade dispute cases in the 10 years, as either the defendant or complainant," Sun said.

"From solving these disputes, either win or lose, we have deepened our understanding of the rules (of the WTO), which is a valuable wealth for Chinese enterprises and industries," he added.