Vusumuzi Dube in BEIJING, China CHINA has called for strengthened international cooperation in digital trade and green development, saying greater openness, policy coordination and economic cooperation are critical to achieving…
Vusumuzi Dube in BEIJING, China
CHINA has called for strengthened international cooperation in digital trade and green development, saying greater openness, policy coordination and economic cooperation are critical to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth.
Speaking at the Forum on Digital Trade Developments and DGF Annual Meeting held at the Beijing Shougang International Convention and Exhibition Centre on the sidelines of the 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Jia Chenghua said the Digital and Green Development Forum (DGF) had become an important platform for advancing cooperation in the digital economy and green development.
Vice Minister Chenghua said the DGF was established to strengthen trade and investment cooperation, unlock the potential of the digital economy and green development, and promote economic, sustainable and inclusive growth.
He said the initiative was jointly announced by 35 countries, including China, at the thematic forum on trade connectivity of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October 2023.
“In his address to the conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence on June 28, 2024, President Xi Jinping once again called upon all the Global South countries to join the DGF,” he said.
According to the Vice Minister, more than 50 countries have so far participated in the DGF, with support from three international organisations, making it a critical force in advancing international digital economy and green development.
“China has always been an advocate for the digital economy and green development. As one of the initiating parties of the DGF, China stands ready to play a more active role and shoulder greater responsibilities.”
He said the 2026 meeting, held under the theme of promoting green trade and economic cooperation in the digital era and building a community with a shared future for humanity, came at an opportune time as countries seek practical ways to deepen cooperation.
The Vice Minister waid the forum provided an opportunity to build international consensus, strengthen economic and trade cooperation, facilitate matchmaking and support the release of concrete cooperation outcomes.
“Upholding the principles of consultation and contribution for shared benefits, China stands ready to, on the basis of mutual respect, work with all other parties to use the DGF as an underpin in deepening international economic and trade cooperation in digital and green sectors and facilitate the achievement of UN SDGs,” he said.
The Vice Minister outlined three areas that should guide future cooperation.
First, he called for countries to uphold openness and cooperation while promoting communication and exchanges.
He urged all parties to firmly safeguard multilateralism and remain committed to openness, inclusiveness and cooperation, warning against the creation of protectionist or exclusive blocs in the digital and green sectors.
Countries, he said, should strengthen policy coordination on digital trade and environmental issues, while pursuing greater alignment of development strategies, coordination of rules and policy dialogue.
Such efforts would help create an open, stable, transparent, impartial and predictable policy environment for digital and green economic cooperation.
The Vice Minister said the Chinese focal point of the DGF was prepared to play a quasi-secretariat role by designing a series of activities and establishing platforms for communication and exchanges.
Second, he called for stronger economic cooperation to promote common development, emphasising the need to translate cooperation into practical outcomes that benefit participating countries.
The Vice Minister said the DGF should serve as an underpin for deeper international economic and trade cooperation, particularly as countries seek to harness digitalisation and green development to drive sustainable growth.
He said closer cooperation would also help countries tap emerging opportunities presented by the digital economy and green transition while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
