The TFA is the first multilateral agreement on trade in goods China acceded to after joining the WTO. The Chinese State Council completed domestic procedures for its ratification in less than two years. As things stand, some one third of the WTO members are yet to go through ratification procedures. We hope all parties will work together for the TFA to be fully implemented this year. According to estimates by experts, the TFA, once implemented, will add at least $1 trillion to global trade. That would undoubtedly be good news for a steady global recovery.
While observing the TFA, China will advance trade facilitation as much as possible in line with its national conditions. First, we will consolidate the mandate of various agencies to streamline customs clearance procedures for businesses by establishing “single window” service centers.
Second, we will make customs clearance faster. We intend to shorten the time needed for customs clearance by another one third this year, and will aim to meet the most advanced international standards regarding customs clearance procedures and speed in the not so distant future.
Third, we will enhance cooperation with other countries, particularly in mutual recognition of inspection between regulatory authorities, to avoid repetitive procedures and lower costs for businesses.
这些都是技术性的措施，但是我认为最关键的是，我们一定要树立一个明确的思想，就是自由贸易是推动世界经济复苏的良药。在推动自由贸易过程中，贸易投资自由化便利化是自由贸易的重要特征，大家都以开放的心态来推动自由贸易，会使消费者有更多的选择，也会倒逼本国企业创新升级。当然也要考虑各国国情，避免对某些行业冲击过大，可以有一些缓冲的措施，这需要互谅互让，协商解决，但是大方向是应该坚持的。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂
These are the technical measures we will take. What is most important, I believe, is that we must recognize the valuable role of free trade in boosting global economic recovery. Trade liberalization and investment facilitation is the hallmark of free trade. When everyone acts to promote free trade with an open-minded approach, this will provide consumers with more choices and compel domestic companies to innovate and upgrade. In the meantime, we should take account of the varying national conditions of different countries, and adopt measures to cushion the impact on certain sectors through consultation among countries on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation. But overall, we need to keep to the right direction.
施瓦布：总理先生，我也想借这个机会问您一个关于互联网和数字化发展的问题。“互联网+”已经成为中国的国家发展战略，另外随着数字化的进一步发展，已经很难区别传统产业与数字化产业，他们彼此之间在实现融合的发展。我想问，您对这种发展有什么体会？数字化发展在中国还面临什么样的挑战？尤其是国际工商界如何能够更有效地参与到中国的数字化发展进程中？
Professor Schwab: Mr. Premier, I want to take this opportunity to ask you a question about the development of the internet and digitization. The Internet Plus policy is a very important national strategy. But if we look at digitization, we can no longer make differentiation between digital industries and old-fashioned industries. Today, every industry is digitized. Could you share with us what your experiences and challenges are in this aspect? Particularly, how the international business community could be more meaningfully engaged into China’s efforts of overall digitization of its economy?
