Rapid gains, but challenges ahead

When former commerce minister Shi Guangsheng signed the WTO documents on behalf of China in December 2001, it was the end of 15 years' of marathon negotiations and sleepless nights. But for China, it was the beginning of a new era, with many significant achievements and unprecedented challenges.

"China has dealt with all kinds of challenges in the past 10 years. Its economy has developed rapidly, and the world has benefited from it," said Shi in a recent interview with China Daily.

The greatest benefit for China has been its rapid economic development, while its economic development has benefited the world, Shi said. China's share in global exports has risen from 4.3 percent in 2001 to over 10 percent by 2010. Its proportion in the world GDP has also grown. In 2002, it accounted for 4.4 percent of the global GDP, while it was 9.3 percent in 2010. China is now the biggest contributor to global exports and the second largest importer.