Xi Jinping stressed at the 8th collective study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee that we should actively participate in the reform of the World Trade Organization and improve our ability to manage high-level opening up.

On the afternoon of September 27, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held its eighth collective study on the rules and reform of the World Trade Organization. When presiding over the study, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized that the World Trade Organization is an important pillar of multilateralism and an important stage for global economic governance. It is a general consensus and a general trend to carry out necessary reforms to the World Trade Organization. We must better coordinate the domestic and international situations and better coordinate development and security, deeply understand the importance and urgency of participating in the reform of the World Trade Organization, and participate in the reform of the World Trade Organization and the adjustment of international economic and trade rules with a more positive historical responsibility and creative spirit, and promote in-depth reform and high-quality development with high-level opening up.

Gu Xueming, director and researcher of the Ministry of Commerce Research Institute, explained this issue and put forward work suggestions. Comrades of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened carefully to the explanation and discussed it.

Xi Jinping delivered an important speech after listening to the explanation and discussion. He pointed out that joining the World Trade Organization is a milestone in my country's opening up. In just over 20 years, my country's total trade in goods has increased by 11 times, becoming the world's largest trading country in goods and the main trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, with an average annual contribution rate of nearly 30% to global economic growth. The relationship between my country and the World Trade Organization has undergone historic changes. China has gradually grown from a passive recipient and active connector of international economic and trade rules to an important participant. Facts show that my country's accession to the World Trade Organization has not only accelerated its own development, but also benefited the world. This major decision is completely correct.

Xi Jinping emphasized that in participating in the reform of the World Trade Organization, we must firmly safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as the core, and actively promote the restoration of the normal operation of the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement mechanism. We must firmly stand on the right side of history, adhere to the general direction of economic globalization, clearly advocate free trade and true multilateralism, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, oppose the politicization, weaponization and pan-security of economic and trade issues, and promote the construction of an open world economy. We must uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, improve and refine China's plan for comprehensive and in-depth participation in the reform of the World Trade Organization. Resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the vast number of developing countries, including my country.

Xi Jinping pointed out that promoting reform and development through opening up is an important magic weapon for my country to continuously achieve new achievements in modernization. This year marks the 45th anniversary of reform and opening up. We must continue to do a good job in our own reform, both expanding the door to opening up and keeping the road of reform steady. We should be more proactive in connecting with high-standard international economic and trade rules, steadily expand institutional opening-up in terms of rules, regulations, management, and standards, accelerate the creation of a new high ground for opening up to the outside world, build a new system of open economy at a higher level, and accelerate the construction of a new development pattern. We should actively create a market-oriented, rule-of-law, and internationalized first-class business environment, take the opportunity of promoting the accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, further stimulate import potential, relax market access, promote the in-depth development of multilateral and bilateral cooperation, and enhance the attractiveness to foreign investment. We should accelerate the construction of a strong trading country, upgrade trade in goods, innovate trade in services, develop digital trade, take digitalization and greening as the direction, further enhance the position of international division of labor, and move towards the middle and high end of the global value chain. At the same time, we should pay attention to safeguarding national economic security.

Xi Jinping emphasized that we should develop strong skills to master high-level opening up to the outside world. We should vigorously carry out investigations and studies, summarize and make good use of the successful experience of my country's open development, strengthen strategic, systematic, and forward-looking planning for opening-up work, and accurately understand the new situations and new problems in the international economic and trade field, so as to have a clear mind, a plan in hand, and strong actions. We will improve our ability to use international rules to safeguard our country's development rights and interests, and accelerate the creation of a high-level, professional opening-up team with strong political integrity, high skills and good work style. We will coordinate opening-up and security, safeguard security and enhance rights and interests in the struggle, seek cooperation and strive for win-win results.