Recently, Zhang Xiangchen, Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), delivered a lecture at SUIBE’s lecture series “25 Lectures: 25 Years since China’s WTO Accession”. Focusing on the theme “Evolution of the Global Landscape and WTO Reform”, he shared insights with SUIBE faculty and students. Wang Rongming, President of SUIBE, attended the event and delivered an opening address. Zhang Yiguo, Vice Chairman of University Council, presided over the lecture.
In his address, Wang Rongming extended a warm welcome and sincere gratitude to Zhang Xiangchen on behalf of the university. He noted that to mark the 25th anniversary of China’s WTO accession, SUIBE has launched the special lecture series “25 Lectures: 25 Years since China’s WTO Accession”. As a key participant in China’s GATT resumption and WTO accession negotiations, Zhang has long dedicated himself to multilateral trade and made notable contributions to global economic and trade governance. Wang Rongming remarked that the lecture offered a rare chance for faculty and students to learn from first-hand experience and frontier perspectives. He encouraged all attendees to make the most of this opportunity and gain valuable knowledge.
Focusing on the theme “Evolution of the Global Landscape and WTO Reform”, Zhang drew on his rich experience in China’s GATT and WTO negotiations and his tenure at the WTO. He systematically reviewed the evolution of the multilateral trading system, and conducted an in-depth analysis of the major challenges confronting the WTO amid profound shifts in globalization and rising geopolitical tensions. He then elaborated on the priorities and difficulties of WTO reform from four core dimensions: dispute settlement, fair competition, development issues and decision-making mechanisms.
Translated by Li Ruohan