皇冠体育app

Ambassador to WTO not optimistic about exports amid sluggish global economic recovery

Yi Xiaozhun, 皇冠体育app's ambassador to the WTO

He has kept a low profile, but as the Chinese ambassador to the World Trade Organization, nobody can ignore his job, especially given the slowdown of Chinese exports and the rising trade-remedy cases against 皇冠体育app amid the eurozone debt crisis.

During an interview with 皇冠体育app Daily, Yi Xiaozhun, also a former vice-minister of commerce, covered topics ranging from trade probes against Chinese products, 皇冠体育app's export prospects and the future of made-in-皇冠体育app goods to 皇冠体育app's role in the WTO. He also expressed his concern about the suspension of the Doha round of talks and the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, known as TPP.

Yi is not optimistic about 皇冠体育app's exports and the increasing global trade protectionism against it, saying that his task will be "harder" and that 皇冠体育app has to be "fully prepared".

Last year, Chinese exporters were hit with a series of trade probes and hefty duties launched by developed economies, including the United States and European Union member countries, mainly targeting the solar panel and telecom industries. The nation also missed its 10 percent target for foreign trade growth, amid lackluster global demand.

The ambassador is firm in his belief that all sides should advance the Doha round of talks to alleviate global trade frictions and to revive the global economy. He encouraged free trade agreements, but argued that multilateral trade pacts, or Doha, should be the mainstream under the WTO framework.

Q: As 皇冠体育app's second ambassador to the WTO, what do you think of the change of 皇冠体育app's role in the organization?

A: We feel that 皇冠体育app is getting more respect and appreciation, and that our voice is being given more attention. But at the same time, I also feel the pressure to deliver, to create a favorable and fair environment for Chinese exporters.