Import expo shows China committed to rules-based global trade, says Chilean economist

SANTIAGO - The upcoming second China International Import Expo (CIIE) shows the Asian nation's commitment to rules-based global trade, said Chilean economist Manuel Agosin.

"It is certainly important for a country the size of China to play by the rules of the game of international trade," Agosin told Xinhua in an interview about China's global trade initiatives.

China's participation in the World Trade Organization is another clear sign of its willingness to promote fair trade practices, which "is very favorable not just for China, but also for the rest of the world," said Agosin, who teaches economics at the University of Chile.

The CIIE, an ideal venue for global exporters keen to trade with China, offers a valuable opportunity for countries like Chile to get to know more about China and to learn about what products Chinese consumers could be interested in, said Agosin.

This year's second edition of the expo, to be held in early November in Shanghai, will showcase goods in seven categories, including science and technology, automobiles, medical equipment and healthcare products, high-end and manufacturing equipment, services, food and agricultural products and lifestyle products.

A total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations and more than 3,600 enterprises participated in the first CIIE, held on Nov 5-10, 2018 in Shanghai.

The trade relationship with China is extraordinarily important to Chile, and the more Chinese companies know about Chilean products that are available, the better, said Agosin.

In recent years, Chile has seen decisive growth in certain productive sectors, such as copper mining and fruit farming, and much of that "is due to its exports to China," said Agosin.

The CIIE is also a good way to champion multilateralism and global trade, said Agosin, who has served as an adviser to the United Nations, the Inter-American Development Bank and other international agencies.

"Countries committed to free trade should unite. They should strengthen ties in order to defend the principles of free trade," said Agosin. "I believe Chile and China hold the same position in that regard."