Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Rome on Saturday, where Wang congratulated Okonjo-Iweala for becoming the global trade body's first African director-general.

"This marks the enhancement of the strength of developing countries on the international stage," Wang explained, adding that "China will fully support the director-general in the performance of her duties."

For her part, Okonjo-Iweala congratulated China for 20 years of WTO membership, noting that the organization attaches great importance to China's significant influence and leading role.

She added that the WTO is willing to enhance communication and coordination with China and especially expects China's continued support for the holding of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference.

Wang stressed that as a firm defender of the multilateral trading system, China is willing to work together with all parties to jointly protect the WTO's authority and effectiveness, promote global trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, to consolidate the bedrock of global trade.

Wang said that China is the world's largest developing country because it is still faced with acute problems caused by unbalanced and inadequate development, as well as an arduous development agenda.

China will forever politically belong to the group of developing countries and firmly safeguard the common interests of developing countries, said Wang.

When it comes to lowering the overall tariff level or enjoying "special and differential treatment," China has undertaken obligations far beyond its WTO commitments, he added.

China reiterated earlier this week that its state-owned enterprises do not enjoy special treatment and participate in the market competition on a fair basis.

The WTO said in the latest review on China's trade policies that the country has made progress in economic recovery and served as a major driver of the global economy, thanks to its efforts in combating the COVID‑19 epidemic, poverty alleviation and market-oriented reforms.

(With input from Xinhua)