Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Thursday reiterated China's opposition to trade barriers and stressed that economic and trade differences should be resolved through dialogue.
The statement came in response to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) recent downward revision of global GDP growth forecasts.
The OECD projected on Monday that global GDP growth will slow down to 3.1 percent in 2025 and 3 percent in 2026, down from 3.2 percent in 2024.
The organization attributed this downgrade to "higher trade barriers in several G20 economies and increased geopolitical and policy uncertainty weighing on investment and household spending."
Addressing the forecast during a press briefing in Beijing, Mao reaffirmed China's commitment to free trade and multilateralism. She stressed that trade barriers harm all parties involved and hinder global economic prosperity.
"Trade barriers including tariffs serve nobody's interests and are not conducive to prosperity and stability of the world economy. Disagreements on trade and business should be resolved through dialogue and consultation, and the world economy should not pay the price. No matter how the external environment may evolve, China will adhere to opening up, and firmly support the principle of free trade and the multilateral trading system. China is committed to supporting the universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and pursuing common development and win-win with all countries," Mao said.
Trade barriers serve nobody's interests: spokeswoman
Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Peng Qinghua on Friday attended the inauguration of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.
Peng, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, also met with President Nandi-Ndaitwah to discuss bilateral relations.
During their meeting, Peng conveyed Xi's warm congratulations on and best wishes for Nandi-Ndaitwah's inauguration and the 35th anniversary of Namibia's independence, which coincided with the inauguration. Peng highlighted the profound traditional friendship between China and Namibia, noting that this year also marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Peng said China is willing to take this opportunity to continue close high-level exchanges with Namibia, enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation and bolster international coordination, so as to carry forward the China-Namibia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for the benefit of the two peoples.
Nandi-Ndaitwah thanked Xi for sending a special envoy to attend her inauguration and asked Peng to convey her cordial greetings to the Chinese president. She spoke highly of Namibia-China relations, thanked China for its long-standing support and assistance to Namibia, and expressed the hope for the deepening of the friendly cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
Dignitaries and representatives from nearly 30 countries and international and regional organizations attended the inauguration.
Xi's special envoy attends inauguration of Namibian president
