China willing to contribute to WTO talks on e-commerce

China, as a key participant and major proponent in the ongoing negotiations on e-commerce at the World Trade Organization, will continue to contribute to the negotiation process for developing high-standard digital trade rules, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

An official with the ministry’s department of WTO affairs made the remark on Monday after Japan, Australia, and Singapore, co-convenors of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce, released a statement that announced the substantial conclusion of negotiations on global digital trade rules on certain articles on Dec 20.

In pursuit of developing high-standard digital trade regulations, participants in the WTO negotiations have reached a fundamental consensus on 13 agenda items covering three key areas - facilitating digital trade, opening up the digital environment, and enhancing business and consumer trust, the official said.

With a proactive and constructive approach, China has engaged in discussions on all agenda items, presenting nine proposals covering over 20 specific issues, most of which have been incorporated into the consensus, the official said.

Going forward, the participating parties will continue driving discussions on key topics such as duty-free electronic transmissions, electronic payments and telecommunications services, so as to swiftly reach a consensus on these issues and strive for high-level standards, the official said.

The substantial conclusion of negotiations on certain topics will help solidify the existing achievements and lay a solid foundation for resolving remaining issues and concluding the negotiations by 2024, the official added.

The negotiations kick-started in January 2019, in which 90 countries and regions, accounting for 90 percent of total global trade, are participating, according to the ministry.

wangkeju@chinadaily.com.cn