(Yicai) March 27 -- China's measures to strengthen trade compliance work play a major role in boosting confidence and sending positive signals to other countries to respect and safeguard the international system, according to the co-chair of the World Trade Organization Chairs Program.

At this moment when the international economic and trade system is under attack as some countries are undermining multilateral rules and abusing domestic legal tools to evade international obligations, China's measures to strengthen trade policy compliance also demonstrate it is a responsible country, Ji Wenhua told Yicai in an exclusive interview.

"The biggest challenge the multilateral trading system faces is whether it can curb trade unilateralism and contain the US President Donald Trump administration, and whether other members can maintain the foundation of the multilateral trade system," said Ji, who is also a professor at the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics. "This is vital to the survival of the multilateral trading system."

In recent years, the international economic and trade landscape has undergone profound changes, and China has gradually grown into an important participant, according to the Ministry of Commerce's WTO Affairs Department head.

On March 21, the Chinese government issued the "Opinions on Further Strengthening Trade Policy Compliance Work." They demonstrate China's clear attitude and international stance on maintaining the multilateral trading system, Ji noted, adding that they are not just a response to Trump's trade policy changes.

China should have two roles in advancing trade policy compliance work, according to Ji. The first is creating a stable, transparent, and predictable domestic trade environment, and the second is establishing boundaries for international economic and trade measures based on safeguarding its own rights and interests and stabilizing the multilateral trade system.

Looking forward, China will carry out its compliance work at the domestic and external levels. At the domestic level, it will further improve its compliance system, strengthen the rule of law, and strive to proactively ensure that trade measures meet the requirements of the WTO and China's accession commitment rules, Li pointed out.

At the external level, China will promote compliance with other members' trade measures, raise concerns about other members' non-compliant measures to the WTO, carry out consultations and negotiations, and safeguard the legitimate overseas rights and interests of enterprises, he added.

"During this process, Chinese industries, colleges, universities, and research institutions should raise their awareness and position, take the initiative to provide technical and intellectual support, and work together with the government to deepen the reform of the multilateral trading system," Ji said.

Editor: Futura Costaglione