China’s WTO deputy chief says African nations ‘risk’ missing chance to reshape trade rules

Zhang Xiangchen, deputy director general of the World Trade Organization, has urged more African countries to participate in shaping global trade rules

Africa is the only continent that is not yet fully integrated into the global economy, Zhang said at the China-Africa Economic Trade Expo

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Zhang Xiangchen, deputy director general of the World Trade Organization, says more African nations should join the global trade body. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:00pm, 27 Sep 2021

More African nations should consider joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) or risk missing the opportunity to influence global trade rules, said China’s Zhang Xiangchen, a deputy director general at the organisation.

Zhang, who was appointed as a deputy to WTO director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in May, said the share of African countries in global trade has declined over the years.

“It’s risky for developing countries to stay outside the stiff competition in reshaping international trade rules, therefore developing countries should actively engage in making new international trade rules to safeguard their interests,” said Zhang at the second China-Africa Economic Trade Expo in the central Chinese city of Changsha on Sunday.

The benefits that China has seen since joining the body in 2001 could serve as a “reference” for African countries, even though the multilateral trading system had “flaws”, he said via video link.

“Africa is the only continent that is not yet integrated into the global economy,” Zhang said. “Currently more than a dozen African countries in particular, some important economies, including Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan, are still not WTO members.

But he added it was “no surprise” that some African nations were hesitant to be part of “global trade liberalisation”, as the gains of globalisation have been unevenly distributed and integrating with the international trade system required substantial reform.