On October 20, the opening ceremony of the 2025 RTPC for Asia-Pacific Members and Observers of the WTO was held at SUIBE. WTO Deputy Director-General Zhang Xiangchen delivered a speech for the opening ceremony via video link. Director-General of the Department of WTO Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce Han Yong, Second-Class Inspector of the SMCC Tang Chao, SUIBE President Wang Rongming, and 26 participants from 18 WTO Asia-Pacific members and observers attended the opening ceremony.
On behalf of WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Zhang Xiangchen extended the warmest welcome to all participants of this training and wished the training a great success. He pointed out that this eight-week “intermediate-level” training course will conduct extensive discussions on important topics related to WTO reform, help participants deepen their understanding of international trade and WTO rules, and improve their practical skills in participating in WTO work. He wished all participants a smooth learning experience, and encouraged them to actively participate in course learning, discussions and visit activities, enhance mutual understanding, strengthen international cooperation, and work together to address the complex challenges faced by the current global trade system.
In his address, Han Yong commended SUIBE for its achievements in promoting knowledge about the WTO, conducting research on cutting-edge topics, and cultivating talent for international organizations. He stated that the Ministry of Commerce will continue to actively support the cooperation between SUIBE and the WTO Secretariat and jointly contribute to WTO technical assistance projects.
On behalf of SMCC, Tang Chao extended warm congratulations on the successful opening of this training. He highly recognized SUIBE’s professional support for the WTO Asia-Pacific Regional Trade Policy Course training and its important contributions to Shanghai’s promotion of high-level institutional opening-up and international cooperation. He hoped that the participants of this training will gain a deep grasp of world trade rules and multilateral negotiation practices, and experience the profound heritage of Chinese culture and the unique charm of Shanghai during their stay.
On behalf of SUIBE, Wang Rongming delivered a speech. He stated that SUIBE has further upgraded and optimized teaching support and service guarantees for this training, and will also organize participants to visit typical trade scenarios such as Shanghai’s cross-border e-commerce enterprises, logistics enterprises, the China International Import Expo, and the China Yiwu International Trade City, to help participants gain an in-depth understanding of China’s and Shanghai’s reform and opening-up practices. Finally, he wished all participants achieve fruitful results through exchanges of ideas and cultural integration.
This RTPC training is co-hosted by SUIBE and the WTO, lasting for 8 weeks. The course covers fields related to WTO agreements and regional trade policies.
Translated by Yang Yu