Newswise — A new study of China’s trade policy suggests a range of ways in which it might be made more supportive of the goal of sustainable development.
Elements of a Sustainable Trade Strategy for China has been compiled by IISD and the Development Research Center (DRC) of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. The 2½-year-project was led by IISD trade and investment program director Mark Halle and Long Guoqiang, senior fellow and director-general of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations.
“Adjustment of China’s trade strategy is a response to the changing international environment, changing comparative advantages as well as the new development guideline: China’s Scientific Approach of Development,” Long said, emphasizing the importance of this project.
“We have tried to coordinate economic, social and environmental sustainability of China’s future trade development. This is a pilot project in this field,” Long said.
The study looks at how China can meet its trade policy goals in ways that also help it to build a resource-efficient and environmentally-friendly society.
“I don’t know of a single other country that has had the courage to look at its trade policies from the point of view of its long-term sustainability goals,” Halle said, adding that most countries pursue a trade policy aimed at maximizing commercial advantages for export-oriented sectors of their economy.
“I would very much like to see other countries follow China’s example and ask the same questions,” Halle said. “The whole world has something to learn from this exercise.”
The various chapters of the book look at key elements of a sustainable trade strategy for China, suggesting changes for the manufacturing and energy sectors, services, voluntary standards, as well as its “trade foreign policy” as an influential member of the World Trade Organization.
“Innovation in sustainable trade could provide China with the leadership necessary to overcome future challenges as it moves its production up the value chain adding knowledge and meaningful employment in the service sector,” said IISD president and CEO Franz Tattenbach.
Halle said the study contributes to the growing debate in China as it moves to align its economic growth with the needs of employment creation, social harmony and sustainable development. “It would be great to take this to the next level and see China implement actions that take its long-term strategy for development onto a sustainable path,” he said.
Link to the report: http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2010/elements_sustainable_trade_china.pdf
For more information please contact Mark Halle ([email protected]) or IISD media and communication officer Nona Pelletier. Phone: +1-(204)-958-7740, Cell: +1-(204)-962-1303
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