On behalf of the World Trade Organization, I extend warm congratulations on the opening of the 32nd Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair.
The theme of this year's Fair is "Build a New Platform for high-level opening up and Share new opportunities for high-quality development". Heilongjiang Province is pushing forward the construction of "Open Heilongjiang" and "Pilot Free Trade Zone". The level of trade and investment facilitation is constantly improving. Its trading partners cover more than 200 countries and regions around the world, and its trade with major trading partners is growing rapidly. I am confident that this fair, the first time in an offline format since the end of the epidemic, will serve as a useful platform for delegations and entrepreneurs to discuss new opportunities and cooperation, and further promote the growth of international trade and cross-border investment.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the global trade is in a period of adjustment. How to cope with the new situation, solve new problems and achieve new development is a challenge for every government and entrepreneur.
We need to see clearly what is changing and what is not, what are the new dynamics and what we should stick to. Only in this way can we respond more actively, and keep pace with the trend.
In my view there are three changes.
First, the perception about security is changing. In the past few years, with the continuous occurrence of events in the fields of geopolitics, regional conflicts and public health, the awareness of "security" has been elevated, and new economic and trade security policies surged. Governments and enterprises should pay close attention to these policies, take the initiative to adjust and diversify supply chains, so as to defuse policy risks and improve the ability to cope with emergencies.
Second, technological advances are reshaping production and trade. New technologies such as digitalization, automation and artificial intelligence have led to new products, services and changed business models. In the past, international trade was deemed to be eligible for big, powerful companies only; Nowadays, with the help of the Internet, Micro- and small-sized enterprises, or even individuals can participate in global value chains.
Third, the values of trade are changing. Trade is no longer just about maximising profits. Social value issues such as environmental protection, energy conservation and emissions reduction, women's empowerment, small and medium-sized enterprises and labour protection are also receiving increasing attention. Enterprises should adjust at the strategic level accordingly. Government should explore possible policies and strengthen international coordination.
What are not changing?
First, the general trend of globalization ains unchanged. Many people fear that globalization has come to an end and that economies will become closed and conservative. I believe that despite some anti-globalization events, the general trend of globalization has not changed. We are now in a period of re-adjustment to globalization, adapting to new technologies and situations so as to better integrate into the new wave of globalization. They are sometimes called "slobalization" or "re-globalization".
Second, the efforts toward trade and investment facilitation will not change. Although the perception about security and values in trade are being adjusted, attracting foreign investment and promoting trade will still be an important way for countries to develop their economies, create jobs and improve welfare. Promoting trade liberalization and facilitation will benefit all participants by increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Governments and international organizations will continue to create favourable conditions for this.
Third, rule-based international cooperation will not change. Rules guarantee of the operation of global trade and solve disputes. WTO rules and regional and bilateral trade agreements have created a stable environment for international trade. Nonetheless, we must admit that there are deficiencies or gaps in the existing rules, and it is urgent to formulate new ones. Cooperation and consultation are the best way to establish new rules. The WTO has been continuously working on this. We encourage all members to take a more active and constructive part in this process and welcome inputs from the private sector.
Ladies and gentlemen, the future of international trade must be green, digital, inclusive and conducive to security. Let us work together to strengthen cooperation, promote trade development and create a better life for human society. Thank you very much!
我謹代表世界貿易組織，熱烈祝賀第三十二屆哈爾濱國際經濟貿易洽談會開幕。
本屆哈洽會的主題是『共建高水平開放新平臺，共享高質量發展新機遇』。黑龍江省正在推進『開放龍江』和『自由貿易試驗區』建設，貿易和投資便利化水平不斷提高，貿易伙伴遍布全球200多個國家和地區，與主要貿易伙伴的貿易往來快速增長。我相信，在疫情結束後首次線下舉辦的本屆哈洽會，一定會成為與會各國代表團和企業家共話新機遇、共商新合作的有益平臺，也將進一步促進國際貿易和跨境投資的增長。
女士們，先生們：
全球貿易正處於一個快速發展和變革的時期。如何應對新形勢、解決新問題、實現新發展是每個政府和企業家所要面臨的挑戰。
我們要看清楚什麼在變、什麼不變、變成什麼、堅守什麼。如此纔能化被動為主動，堅持方向，行穩致遠。
我認為有三個變化：
第一，貿易的安全觀在發生變化。過去幾年，隨著地緣政治、地區衝突、公共衛生等領域事件的不斷發生，『安全』問題被提昇到新高度，經貿領域安全新政也接踵而至。政府和企業應密切關注新政，主動調整供應鏈，多元布局，以化解政策風險和提昇應對突發事件的能力。
第二，科技進步正重塑生產和貿易。數字化、自動化、人工智能等新技術促生了新產品、新服務，並改變了商業模式。過去，國際貿易似乎只有實力雄厚的大企業纔能參與；如今借助互聯網，中小企業甚至個人也參與全球價值鏈中的某個環節。
第三，貿易的價值觀正在變化。貿易不再僅僅追求利潤最大。環境保護、節能減排、女性賦能、中小企業、勞動保護等社會價值問題也越來越受關注。企業應在戰略層面做出相應調整。政府應對相關政策進行探索，並加強國際協調。
『不變』也有三個：
第一，全球化的大趨勢沒有變。很多人擔心全球化已經結束，認為各國經濟會走向封閉和保守。我認為，盡管存在逆全球化的事件，但全球化的大趨勢沒有改變。更准確地說，現在是全球化的調整期，大家都在適應新技術、新形勢，以更好地融入新一輪全球化。一些學者也提出了『慢全球化』或『再全球化』的概念。表述不同，但意思是一致的，即全球化會繼續深入下去。
第二，貿易和投資便利化的努力方向不會變。盡管貿易中的安全觀、價值觀在發生調整，但吸引外資、促進貿易仍將是各國發展經濟、創造就業和提昇福利的重要途徑。推動貿易自由化、便利化有利於提高效率，降低成本，所有貿易參與者都將獲益。各國政府和國際組織將繼續為此創造有利條件。
第三，以規則為基礎的國際合作不會變。規則是機制有序運轉的保障，是解決糾紛的依據。世貿組織貿易規則和區域和雙邊貿易協定為貿易發展創造了穩定的環境。面對新形勢和新問題，我們必須承認，現有規則存在不足或空白，制定新規則迫在眉睫。合作共商是建立規則的最佳途徑。世貿組織一直在做這方面的努力。我們鼓勵各國以更加積極和建設性的姿態參與其中，也期待企業家朋友們貢獻你們的智慧。
女士們，先生們，
未來的國際貿易必將是綠色的、數字的、包容的和有利於安全的。讓我們共同努力，加強合作，促進貿易發展，創造人類社會更美好的生活。
謝謝大家！
