China has issued a landmark position paper on its role within the World Trade Organization (WTO), declaring it will no longer pursue new claims for Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) in current and future trade negotiations. The announcement, delivered by Premier Li Qiang during a United Nations General Assembly side event on 23 September, marks a pivotal moment in China’s evolving role as a leading developing country and an advocate of multilateralism.

The statement comes at a time when the global trading system is under severe strain from rising protectionism, unilateral tariff impositions, and disputes over fair treatment for developing economies. China’s decision, therefore, is being seen as both a political signal and a concrete step to preserve the WTO’s authority and strengthen international cooperation.

Special and Differential Treatment has long been enshrined in WTO agreements as a mechanism to ensure that developing and least-developed countries secure a fair share of the benefits of international trade. The Marrakesh Agreement, which established the WTO in 1995, explicitly recognized the need for such provisions to support development needs.

In its newly circulated position paper, China reaffirmed its identity as the world’s largest developing country and as an enduring member of the Global South. The document warned that any attempt to strip developing nations of SDT rights would erode the fairness and inclusiveness of the multilateral trading system.

“SDT is not a privilege,” the paper emphasized, “but an institutional right of developing members. Without it, the balance of the WTO framework would be compromised.”

China’s accession to the WTO in 2001 was accompanied by fewer SDT benefits than those granted to many other developing members. Since then, Beijing has demonstrated a consistent willingness to take on broader responsibilities, often beyond its formal obligations.

The position paper outlined several instances where China refrained from claiming SDT despite being entitled to do so. These included the Trade Facilitation Agreement, where China voluntarily committed to 94 percent of obligations under Category A, and the negotiations on services regulation and COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property waivers, where Beijing declined to invoke SDT at all.

In fisheries subsidies talks, China pledged not to seek exemptions in the final package of rules as long as its core concerns were addressed. It also made clear it would not utilize SDT proposals advanced by the G90 group of developing members, signaling a pragmatic approach that balances its national interests with global progress.

The timing of this policy shift is significant. With the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference scheduled for March 2026 in Cameroon, negotiations are intensifying on issues ranging from subsidy disciplines to digital trade. Analysts suggest that China’s announcement will improve the atmosphere for constructive dialogue and bolster the likelihood of development-oriented outcomes.

The paper directly linked China’s decision to the growing threats posed by protectionism and unilateral measures, particularly the “arbitrary imposition of tariffs by a certain member.” Such actions, Beijing argued, have severely tested the credibility of the WTO and undermined the interests of developing nations.

By voluntarily limiting its future SDT claims, China aims to send a strong message: that it is prepared to shoulder greater responsibility to defend the integrity of the global trading system.

While the move represents a forward-looking adjustment, China was careful to stress that it does not alter its legal status as a developing member of the WTO. Beijing will continue to enjoy SDT benefits under existing agreements and in ongoing negotiations where consensus has already been reached.

Moreover, the decision is confined strictly to the WTO framework. China clarified that it does not set a precedent for its classification or entitlements in other international organizations or treaties.

At its core, the paper presents China’s strategy for balancing national development needs with global responsibilities. Premier Li Qiang framed the decision as a contribution to bridging the North-South divide, strengthening global economic governance, and advancing initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

China also tied its move to the Global Development Initiative, a program championed by Beijing to support inclusive growth in the developing world. By stepping back from new SDT demands, China argues it is creating space for the least-developed countries to push for stronger support within the WTO framework.

Observers note that China’s decision reflects both its growing economic weight and its desire to be seen as a stabilizing force in global trade. While Beijing remains firm in its identification as a developing country, it is signaling a willingness to lead by example in safeguarding multilateralism.

“China has always been a member of the Global South and will always be a part of the developing world,” the paper concluded. “We will continue to practice true multilateralism, defend the rights of developing members, and contribute to building an open and inclusive world economy.”

As WTO members prepare for next year’s ministerial conference in Cameroon, China’s stance could prove instrumental in reshaping the dynamics of trade negotiations and in restoring confidence in the multilateral trading order. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/premier-li-qiang-announces-chinas-new-trade-policy-at-unga/