(Ninth China International Import Expo) Chinese version of "World Trade Report 2026" released, calling for adherence to multilateralism

China News Service, Shanghai, November 6 (Reporter Yin Qianyun) The 9th Hongqiao International Economic Forum - "2026 World Trade Report" seminar and Chinese version press conference were held in Shanghai on the 6th.

The theme of this year's report is "The World Trading System at a Critical Junction." The report points out that if the multilateral trading system is strengthened, global GDP is expected to increase by about 2.9% by 2050 compared with the baseline scenario, which is an increase of about US$3 trillion, and global exports can grow by 17.9%.

The report also warned that if there is no intervention and the trade system is allowed to become fragmented, the world will face huge opportunity costs by 2050 - the potential economic increment lost will be equivalent to 5% to 10% of global real GDP. Ma Jianchun, president of the China World Trade Organization Research Association, said at the meeting that the risk costs of "critical nodes" must be faced squarely and the bottom line of multilateralism must be adhered to. It is necessary to repair and upgrade the multilateral framework with the WTO as the core, rather than tear it down and start over, let alone let the law of the jungle dominate international economy and trade again.

The report also pointed out that despite the substantial growth in overall global trade, the share of least developed countries in world trade is still less than 1%. Ma Jianchun believes that in the future reshaping of rules, funds, technology and capacity building must be effectively tilted towards developing members. Helping them cross the digital divide and integrate into green and digital supply chains is an inevitable choice to maintain the vitality of the multilateral trading system.

Participants generally believed that the multilateral trading system plays an irreplaceable and important role in the development of international trade and global economic growth. In the face of current severe challenges such as unilateralism, protectionism, development gaps, and technological revolution, members should enhance mutual trust, strengthen cooperation, jointly promote the reform of the World Trade Organization in a more fair and reasonable direction, and make greater contributions to global economic growth and sustainable development.