Keep free trade stand, nation urged

China holds key to countering growing global 'backlash', top economist says

China, a champion of globalization and multilateral trade, needs to continue to take the lead in countering the growing backlash against free trade, according to a top economist.

Manu Bhaskaran, CEO of Centennial Asia Advisors, a research and advisory company in Singapore, said: "China is one of the world's biggest exporters and importers. This is why it has an important role to play in global trade issues."