March 10-12 General Council Meeting

Item 1: Report by the Chairperson of the Trade Negotiations Committee and Director-General

China would like to thank the TNC Chair and the Chairs of the relevant negotiating bodies for their reports and efforts.

On MC14 preparation, it is important that Ministers send an important political signal on the need for multilateral cooperation to address the challenges, including through adopting a ministerial statement on WTO reform and a reform work plan, as well as through the discussions and takeaways on various Ministerial Sessions on fisheries, agriculture and development, etc.

On Fish, we thank the Chair for the efforts undertaken to prepare the latest document, RD/TN/RL/196, which we agree to base the MC14 Ministerial Decision on this landing zone.

On Agriculture, China supports the chair’s text 273 Rev.1 as a solid basis for MC14 agriculture outcome.

On Development, China welcomes the progress made in implementing MC13 outcomes on SDT based on G90 proposals, under the CTDSS and in other relevant committees. We support MC14 to adopt Ministerial Decisions on G90 Priority issues on TBT & SPS and TRIPs Article 66.2. We also look forward to continuing discussions on substantive issues in the relevant committees post MC14.

To better prepare for the Ministerial Sessions on specific areas, such as discussions on Fisheries Subsidies, IFDA, E-commerce Work Program and Moratorium, Agriculture and Development, it is advisable, based on the updates at this GC meeting, to have a more structured modality to facilitate the organization and the conduct of Ministerial discussions, including clear indication of decision items, high-level guiding questions for discussions and possible forms of takeaways. We suggest subsequent revisions to the MC14 modalities could incorporate these elements.

In conclusion, China stands ready to work with all members in preparing for MC14 in a constructive and pragmatic manner. We encourage all members to show constructive spirit, and collectively work towards tangible outcomes at MC14.

Item 2: WTO Reform Facilitator Report 

China appreciates the reform facilitator’s sustained efforts to organize the discussions and to present the report. China has constructively participated in the discussions, including through submitting a position paper on the priorities of WTO reform under the current circumstances. We believe it is imperative to preserve WTO’s fundamental principles, improve its functions, and further develop the WTO rules, to better respond to the challenges of our time and deliver more for inclusive development of the broad membership.

China supports MC14 to adopt a Ministerial Statement on WTO reform and a balanced Work Plan, which lays out the scope and modalities for Post MC14 work, based on the past 9 months’ consultations. In this regard, the current draft contained in Annex to the facilitator’s report JOB/GC/491 is a good basis for ministers’ endorsement at MC14. It reflects the diversity of views across the Membership and avoids prejudging the direction of reform. It contains the structure necessary to guide the member-driven Post MC14 reform work. Its adoption at MC14 would also provide an important political signal that members are seriously engaged in the reform process. China does not think an MC14 reform outcome that only touches on the process would work.

Item 3: Views and Updates on Ongoing Efforts by Members

 China thanks all the updates.

We support the incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement into the Annex 4 of the WTO agreement as a priority issue for MC14 decision. The incorporation of the IFDA will be an important development outcome for MC14.

On other Development related issues, we support the G90 proposal on advancing relevant works regarding agreement-specific SDTs. We also support LDCs priority issues, including smooth graduation.

On cross-border remittances, we support the WTO to advance relevant work within its competence, including facilitating cross-border electronic payment services while respecting the principle of financial prudence.

Item 5: Decision on G-90 Proposal on SPS and TBT – Communication from the G-90 (WT/GC/W/974/Rev.1 – TN/C/W/92/Rev.1 – JOB/TN/CTD/19/Rev.1) – Request from South Africa

Thank you, Chair.

China thanks South Africa for its presentation of the proposal and appreciates the flexibility demonstrated by the G90 Group with the aim to reach consensus.

Strengthening regulatory cooperation, increasing transparency, and enhancing technical assistance and capacity building are crucial to reducing unnecessary trade barriers and improving the global trade and business environment.

China supports the proposal put forward by the G90 Group and will continue to engage constructively in discussions in SPS and TBT Committees, especially on the implementation of SDT under the SPS and TBT Agreements.

Item 6: WTO Accessions: 2025 Annual Report by the Director-General (WT/ACC/49 – WT/GC/281) – Statement by the Director-General

Thank you, Chair.

China thanks the DG for the annual report on accession work and appreciates the efforts made by the Secretariat in accession negotiations and related follow-up work.

Accession work best reflects the value of the multilateral trading system and is also an important demonstration of the attractiveness and relevance of the WTO. China congratulates Ethiopia and Uzbekistan on the positive progress achieved in 2025. China has already taken the lead in concluding bilateral market access negotiations with the relevant members and looks forward to their early accession to the WTO.

We note that the accession processes of some acceding governments have lasted for more than 30 years, and we call on all members to enhance the sense of urgency and create conditions conducive to acceding governments completing their accession procedures. China is also willing to provide assistance within its capacity through China’s LDCs and Accessions Programme and other initiatives, including the 14th China Roundtable on WTO Accession to be held in Yaoundé next month.

Item 7: Contribution of Paraguay to the Discussions on WTO Reform – Request from Paraguay

 Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Originally, China intends to be more efficient to comment on item 7 and item 8 together, but now let me first turn to the paper of Paraguay. Our comments would be very simple: we do not support a process-only MC14 outcome on WTO reform.

Please allow me to say more few words. With regard to Indian colleagues just made points of raising an important issue immediately after Item 7, we wonder whether Indian colleagues could first make it clear whether this important issue is related to any agenda item already on the list or intended to have a new agenda item, so that members are in a better position to judge based on rules of procedure.

Thank you, Chair.

Item 8: WTO Reform – More Relevant, More Flexible, More Accessible – Request from the United Kingdom

Thank you, Chair.

China would like to thank the United Kingdom for its communication on WTO reform. As a preliminary action, we share the view that we again are faced with a choice between a rules-based order or a power-based order. We also share the view that a truly multilateral organization needs all members to be able to engage and participate.

While there is no expectation of agreements with some substantive points, China is ready to engage in serious dialogue, including with UK, for the interest of the broad membership in the reform process after MC14.

Thank you.

Item 9 . China's Position Paper on WTO Reform under the Current Circumstances – Communication from China (WT/GC/W/989)

First intervention:

Thank you, Chair.

China requests the inclusion of this agenda item to introduce China's position paper on WTO reform, WT/GC/W/989. China have already had a chance to share shared some key messages of our reform proposal during the Reform Plenary Session on March 5. To avoid repetition, we request the secretariat to include our statement on the March 5 plenary session in the minutes of this meeting

[Insert the following intervention made at the March 5 WTO Reform Plenary Session:

Thank you, Mr. Facilitator, for this opportunity to briefly introduce China’s position paper on WTO reform under the current circumstances, circulated on 18 February.

Today, I will highlight the key messages:

First, aim of the reform. To reinforce global trade governance to support economic globalization that is universally beneficial and inclusive. For three decades, the WTO has been one of the cornerstones of multilateralism and a vital pillar of global economic governance. Despite current trade tensions and global uncertainties, the WTO remains an indispensable anchor of stability. WTO Reform must strengthen, not weaken, the rules-based multilateral trading system.

Second, direction of the reform. The MFN principle shall remain the bedrock of the WTO. Development dimensions shall be put at the center of WTO reform. Updating the rulebook shall include both addressing long-standing issues and exploring new and future-oriented rules.

Third, immediate priority of the reform: to adopt a balanced reform work plan at MC14, starting from identifying priority for discussions post MC14.

In this regard, China appreciates the facilitator’s efforts in organizing the reform month discussions and coming up with a high-level Draft Ministerial Statement and Reform work plan with delicate balance and without prejudging.

Last but not least, China’s position on WTO reform is based on our understanding of the challenges faced by members. There are the flip sides of economic globalization, including persisting north-south gap and rising domestic inequality, as elaborated in China’s paper .

WTO alone could not provide solutions to all these challenges. But we know what will not lead us to an economic globalization universally beneficial and inclusive. Power-based trade relations are not solutions.

Therefore, China believes that such challenges ought to be addressed through both multilateral cooperation and domestic reform, conducive to inclusive and sustainable development. It is China’s belief that an open, inclusive, transparent, non-discriminatory and rules-based multilateral trading system serves the interests of all and plays an important role.

In light of the above, China stands ready to engage in constructive cooperation with all members on WTO reform issues in the run-up to, at and beyond MC14.

Our colleagues from capital will further elaborate China’s position on specific aspects of the WTO reform in the upcoming GC meeting. We look forward to comments and feedbacks from members in the upcoming GC meeting.]

Continued intervention at the GC meeting on March 13:

Today, I would like to highlight three points.

First, a rule-based multilateral approach to govern inclusive economic globalization.

Economic globalization is an irreversible historical trend. It has driven global trade and promoted growth for members. While it inevitably brings challenges, such challenges ought to be addressed through multilateral cooperation and domestic reforms conducive to inclusive and mutually beneficiary development.

WTO provides for rule-based multilateral approach in this regard. In reforming the WTO, we should uphold fundamental principles such as MFN, improve its governance and functions and update its rules, so as to better adapt to more inclusive economic globalization. Reform must strengthen, not weaken, the rule-based multilateral trading system.

Second, the development gap remains significant. Therefore, development dimension should inform the reform discussion. In addition to traditional tools such as STD and capacity building, a forward-looking development agenda, one that help tapping the growth opportunity of our time, in areas such as digital trade, green economy, should also be explored.

Third, given the diverse priorities of members, the WTO agenda is often mired in debate. The inability to move ahead on issues where most members want and do not harm others frustrates many. A middle way between the poles of moving all together and not moving at all will help WTO deliver more for its members. It's essential for members to explore such a middle way in the reform process.

The WTO cannot remain a talk shop. It's important to embrace a culture of action and to deliver tangible results step by step for the broad membership.

Thank you, Chair.

Second intervention:

Thank you, Chair.

China thanks members for their comments. China stands ready to work with all members on reform issues.