On June 8-9, 2019, the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade was held in Tsukuba, Japan. A joint meeting was simultaneously held with the Ministerial Meeting on Digital Economy. The meeting was co-chaired by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Seko Hiroshige, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kono Taro. Attending were the trade ministers or representatives of the G20 members and guest countries including Singapore, Vietnam, Spain, the Netherlands, Chile, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo, and the representatives from international organizations such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen attended the meeting on behalf of Minister Zhong Shan, and Ambassador of China’s Permanent Mission to the WTO Zhang Xiangchen attended the meeting.

The meeting held discussions on global trade development, better business environment, trade and investment and sustainable and inclusive growth, WTO reform, trade and digital economy. After the meeting, a joint statement was issued, making economic and trade preparations for the G20 Osaka Summit at the end of June. The participating parties unanimously recognized the positive contribution of the WTO to international trade and said that they will jointly optimize the business environment and actively build a free, open, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, predictable and stable trade and investment environment, maintain market openness and constructively carry out the necessary WTO reforms. At the same time, all parties will strengthen the link between trade and digital economy, actively carry out the e-commerce capacity building and pragmatic cooperation, and give full play to the positive role of trade and investment in economic growth, employment, development and innovation in the digital era. The meeting also released the compilation of G20 policy cases and business practices to promote inclusive and sustainable growth.

Wang Shouwen pointed out in his speech that the current spread of unilateralism and protectionism has seriously affected the multilateral trade system, aggravated global trade tensions, and led to the slowdown in trade and investment growth. G20 is a major platform for global economic cooperation. It should firmly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, jointly create a good international trade and investment environment, and make positive contributions to building an open world economy. China supports the necessary reforms to the WTO, encourages all parties to seize the opportunities of the digital economy, actively carries out digital connectivity and capacity building, and helps disadvantaged groups and small and medium-sized enterprises to enhance their participation in the digital economy, and share digital dividends. At present, China is committed to promoting market-oriented reforms and high-level opening up, stimulating the vitality of market entities and continuously optimizing the business environment. China welcomes all members to participate in the 2nd China International Import Expo and share the dividends of China's economic development.

During the meeting, Wang Shouwen held meetings and discussions with the heads of delegations of some member countries and the WTO Director-General.