The Research Department of Foreign Economic Relations and the International Cooperation Department of the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC) jointly organized a roundtable with a delegation of high-level trade experts from New Zealand on September 4.

The experts exchanged views on the challenges faced by the current multilateral trading system, prospects for reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and regional cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The two sides believe that the multilateral trading system with WTO as the core is the cornerstone of international trade. The two sides should all cherish the achievements of the multilateral trading system, abide by multilateral rules, promote the reform of the WTO's institutional mechanisms and procedures, and gradually improve the global economic governance system.

As a major international economic cooperation initiative and an open regional cooperation platform, the Belt and Road Initiative is complementary to the existing international cooperation mechanisms such as the WTO and APEC, and is of positive significance for promoting regional cooperation and economic globalization and improving global economic governance.