The State Council Information Office of China and the Permanent Mission of China to the WTO organized a series of cultural events during the WTO Public Forum 2026, which took place from September 15-17. The forum's theme, "Powering the Future," focused on the role of services in global trade, attracting over 4,600 participants from government, business, and academia.
Tsinghua University and Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE) hosted two policy seminars, exploring industrial policy and global trade governance, as well as regulatory practices to empower services trade. The seminars brought together experts to discuss emerging global challenges and regulatory reform around the world.
The "Opportunity China: Exploring and Sharing the Future" Chinese Culture Series featured performances, exhibitions, and interactive experiences at WTO headquarters, showcasing Chinese culture and its connection to global trade and economic governance. The series included a performance and reception on September 15, attended by China's Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the WTO Li Yongjie and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Li Yongjie highlighted China's 25-year WTO membership, emphasizing the country's deepening integration into the global economy and creation of opportunities for the world. Okonjo-Iweala noted that cultural exchange is an aspect of trade and globalization, citing the Silk Road as an early example of the movement of goods and ideas.
The cultural events featured Peking Opera, traditional instrumental music, and folk song and dance performances, as well as an exhibition pairing Chinese cultural traditions with contemporary design. The "Crafted Anew" exhibition showcased Palace Museum merchandise, Jingdezhen ceramics, and silverwork and Miao embroidery products from Guizhou.
The policy seminars addressed pressing issues in global trade, including the effects of industrial policies and emerging global challenges. Participants called for stronger international coordination and greater use of multilateral forums to improve policy rules, highlighting China's efforts to improve domestic regulation and expand access to its services market.
The WTO Public Forum 2026 comprised 113 sessions, offering a platform for discussion and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders. The Chinese institutions' events contributed to a deeper understanding of China's role in global trade and its commitment to cultural exchange and cooperation.
Key points
- The WTO Public Forum 2026 drew over 4,600 participants from government, business, and academia.
- Chinese institutions hosted cultural events and trade policy seminars to promote cultural exchange and cooperation.
- The forum's theme focused on the role of services in global trade.
