In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, World Trade Organization Director General Ivira recently stated that as the world's second largest economy, China plays an important role in strengthening the multilateral trading system. Ivira stated that China has always been a staunch supporter of the multilateral trading system. As an extremely important global economy, China plays an important role in a free and open trading system. She stated that the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization will be held in February next year, and "we hope that the conference will be successful. This requires the joint efforts of every WTO member, including China." Ivila said that with the support of WTO rules, the multilateral trading system has made outstanding contributions to promoting global development. Thanks to the multilateral trading system, over 1 billion people worldwide have been lifted out of poverty in the past few decades. Ivira called on WTO members to strengthen the maintenance of the multilateral trading system. She stated that the world should not be divided into multiple trade groups, and trade "decoupling" and trade protectionism are inappropriate. She said that China plays an important role in strengthening the multilateral trading system, providing huge markets for other countries and regions around the world, especially emerging markets and developing economies. The annual "Global Trade Data and Prospects" report released by the World Trade Organization recently shows that global trade in goods will increase by 1.7% in 2023, higher than the 1% predicted in October last year. The report states that the "key factor" in raising global trade growth expectations is China's continuous optimization and adjustment of epidemic prevention measures, which helps to release consumer demand and promote international trade growth. Ivira said that as an important trading partner of developing economies, China's continuous optimization and adjustment of epidemic prevention measures will contribute to global trade growth. Ivira believes that China's economic policies can not only stimulate domestic consumption, but also help promote global trade recovery. China plays a crucial role in the global trading system, and its good performance in trade will also promote the economic and trade development of other countries and regions, especially developing economies. She stated that global trade will face multiple crises in 2023, including the Ukraine crisis, high food prices, tightening monetary policies in multiple countries, banking crises in some countries, and climate crises. Ivira called on WTO members to maintain free and open trade, so that free trade can help the world recover from multiple crises. (New News Agency)