More than 130 academics and trade experts from the mainland and Hong Kong are meeting at City University of Hong Kong to discuss topics related to the Doha round of WTO negotiations and the enhancement of teaching and research in international trade on the mainland.

They are participating in the 5th National Conference on International Trade, an event organized by CityU’s Department of Economics and Finance and the School of International Trade and Economics at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.

Professor Eden Yu Siu-hung, Head of the Department of Economics and Finance, hosted the opening ceremony on 10 August. Officiating guests included Mr Hu Jingyan, Director of Department of Service and Trade in the Ministry of Commerce; Professor Lin Guijun, Vice-President at the University of International Business and Economics; Mr Shi Yonghai, Chairman of the China Association of International Trade; and Professor H K Chang, President of CityU.

In his opening address, Professor Chang said he was very pleased that CityU could provide a world-class platform to discuss international trade and exchange ideas on academic research and personnel training.

“Hong Kong is the busiest place in the world for international trade, and CityU acts as a bridge to the mainland, working towards future prosperity,” Professor Chang said. “We hope to contribute to the economic development of the mainland through international collaboration, organizing activities similar to this conference and nurturing greater talent for the future.”

In response, Professor Lin thanked Professor Chang, explaining that China would soon become a strong trading country and that this conference was facilitating the exploration of relevant international trade issues. The event would have a significant impact on training young people for the future, he added.

Participants at the event include senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce and the Hong Kong Trade and Industry Department, plus academics from 80 mainland universities, such as Renmin University of China, Zhejiang University,

Xiamen University, Wuhan University and Nanjing University. Representatives from publishing companies are also attending.

The core conference content is based around 35 talks and five main topics: the situation and strategy of foreign trade in China; international trade theory and policies; international trade practices and logistics; teaching and research in Hong Kong and Taiwan; and development and personnel training.

During the conference, Mr Zhang Xiangchen, Director of Department of WTO Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, will discuss the prospects of the WTO and trade policy with China; Mr Hu will discuss the liberalization of international trade in services and a strategy for the development of trade in services in China; and Mr Cheng Yan-chee, Deputy Director-General of Trade and Industry in the HKSAR, will discuss China, Hong Kong and the agenda of the Doha Round of WTO development.