China’s accession to the World Trade Organization was heralded by the international community as a victory for free trade and economic liberalization. While China has been one of the organization’s most active members, Beijing has not instituted deep, systemic reforms and its compliance with WTO rulings has been mixed.
In 2017, China exported $2.3 trillion and imported $1.8 trillion in goods. This amounted to 12.4 percent of global trade and left China with a trade surplus of over $400 billion. Learn more about international trade with this ChinaPower exclusive.
As a vital artery of trade for many of the world’s largest economies, the South China Sea has garnered significant attention. Reports on the South China Sea frequently misrepresent the value of trade that annually transits the waterway. Learn more about trade flows in the region with this ChinaPower exclusive.
