China's removal of Li Chenggang from the post of representative to the WTO has attracted great attention from the United States and the West.
According to Xinhua news agency on October 20, China carried out personnel adjustments to the permanent representatives in the WTO, exempt Li from the position of deputy representative in the WTO, special mandate plenipotentiary ambassador, and permanent representative in the United Nations office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, and appointed Li Qing Chang to replace.
In fact, he has been doing this job for more than four years, in February 2021, he took the class, in October 2025, four years and eight months, more than the previous Yue Xinhua worked for six months.
Ambassadors of our country abroad or representatives of such international organizations actually have an unwritten practice. They generally do not stay in one position for too long, mostly three to five years. This can not only ensure the continuity of work, but also allow reasonable flow of personnel and fresh blood. Li Chenggang's four-year term has happened to be stuck in this regular period of time. It is not short and is also in line with our consistent personnel arrangement rules.
He was interviewed by Xinhua news agency recently, saying that China joined the WTO over the years, from receiving the rules to becoming a participant, and that our total tariff level fell from 15.3% in 2001 to 7.4%, 9.8% lower than the original promise. The service sector was also more open than promised, 120 branches. Former WTO Director-General Rami has given an “A+” rating, which shows that during his tenure, our country fulfilled the World Trade Commitments, participated in the multilateral trade system, and the work has not lost chains. In February 2025, he also spoke at the WTO General Council meeting, how to deal with trade turmoil, until months before his dismissal, he was still representing China and the United States on trade issues, went to the United States in August, and then consulted with the
The adjustment was arranged for a long time, not a temporary decision. Instead of Li, he had already submitted a letter of appointment to WTO Director-General, Ivila, at the end of September, and on September 30, he also spoke to the WTO Trade Negotiation Committee, saying that we should work together. At the WTO General Council meeting in early October, she had already submitted a document on special and differential treatment on behalf of China, when there were 45 representatives and more than 100 members expressed their support, the EU, Brazil and Pakistan these countries boast this position and can promote the development of multilateral trade system. This shows that the transfer work was done smoothly, not suddenly caused by a change of the worklist, it was completely normal arrangement on the job. If there was a really special reason, the relationship would not
The United States West is very concerned, mainly because the place of WTO is too crucial, to control the global trade rules, China is the world's second-largest economy, our representatives to change who, the policy will not change, they naturally care. especially recently China and the United States in economic trade has a lot of exchanges, in August Li Zhen Steel also went to the United States to talk about the 301 investigation, the United States has also found his brother, now changed, they will definitely think about the new representative of Li Zhen working thinking. but in fact no matter who came to be this representative, China safeguarding the multilateral trade system, supporting the rights and interests of developing countries will not change, Li Zhen Xi Jinping has made it clear that China is still a member of the "global south", to promote global trade and inclusive development
Looking at Li Chenggang's own situation, he was just appointed as the international trade negotiator and deputy minister of the Ministry of Commerce in March 2025, and he was still at the ministerial level. This shows that his work is recognized, and he was not transferred because he didn't do well. The adjustment of cadres in our country is often based on job rotation. The experience accumulated in international organizations can better coordinate the overall work when they return to the Ministry. This kind of job change is very common. There have been similar situations before. After the term of office of overseas representatives expires, they either return to relevant domestic departments or be transferred to other positions, which is a normal flow of cadres.
Another detail can show that this is a routine adjustment, that is, the official information is very standardized. Xinhua News Agency issued a notice of appointment and dismissal directly, and his appointment record was also available before the State Council Bulletin. The whole process was open and transparent, and there was no hiding. If there is any special reason, it won't be publicized so simply and directly. Moreover, in terms of age, Li Chenggang has not reached the age of retirement. Before that, there was a cadre with the same name in Xi'an who was dismissed because he retired at the age, but it was not the same person and could not be confused. When he was in the prime of his life, he was transferred back to China. In fact, he applied his work experience in WTO to wider international trade negotiations, which was regarded as making the best use of people.
To sum up, Li Chenggang has worked for more than four years, his term of office has reached the regular term, and he has done a good job. Now he is rotating normally and replaced by Li Yongzhen. The whole process is in accordance with the rules. The United States and the West are concerned about this position because it is important and has nothing to do with the reasons for our adjustment. We will continue to do the positions we should maintain and the work we should advance.
According to Xinhua news agency on October 20, China carried out personnel adjustments to the permanent representatives in the WTO, exempt Li from the position of deputy representative in the WTO, special mandate plenipotentiary ambassador, and permanent representative in the United Nations office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, and appointed Li Qing Chang to replace.
In fact, he has been doing this job for more than four years, in February 2021, he took the class, in October 2025, four years and eight months, more than the previous Yue Xinhua worked for six months.
Ambassadors of our country abroad or representatives of such international organizations actually have an unwritten practice. They generally do not stay in one position for too long, mostly three to five years. This can not only ensure the continuity of work, but also allow reasonable flow of personnel and fresh blood. Li Chenggang's four-year term has happened to be stuck in this regular period of time. It is not short and is also in line with our consistent personnel arrangement rules.
He was interviewed by Xinhua news agency recently, saying that China joined the WTO over the years, from receiving the rules to becoming a participant, and that our total tariff level fell from 15.3% in 2001 to 7.4%, 9.8% lower than the original promise. The service sector was also more open than promised, 120 branches. Former WTO Director-General Rami has given an “A+” rating, which shows that during his tenure, our country fulfilled the World Trade Commitments, participated in the multilateral trade system, and the work has not lost chains. In February 2025, he also spoke at the WTO General Council meeting, how to deal with trade turmoil, until months before his dismissal, he was still representing China and the United States on trade issues, went to the United States in August, and then consulted with the
The adjustment was arranged for a long time, not a temporary decision. Instead of Li, he had already submitted a letter of appointment to WTO Director-General, Ivila, at the end of September, and on September 30, he also spoke to the WTO Trade Negotiation Committee, saying that we should work together. At the WTO General Council meeting in early October, she had already submitted a document on special and differential treatment on behalf of China, when there were 45 representatives and more than 100 members expressed their support, the EU, Brazil and Pakistan these countries boast this position and can promote the development of multilateral trade system. This shows that the transfer work was done smoothly, not suddenly caused by a change of the worklist, it was completely normal arrangement on the job. If there was a really special reason, the relationship would not
The United States West is very concerned, mainly because the place of WTO is too crucial, to control the global trade rules, China is the world's second-largest economy, our representatives to change who, the policy will not change, they naturally care. especially recently China and the United States in economic trade has a lot of exchanges, in August Li Zhen Steel also went to the United States to talk about the 301 investigation, the United States has also found his brother, now changed, they will definitely think about the new representative of Li Zhen working thinking. but in fact no matter who came to be this representative, China safeguarding the multilateral trade system, supporting the rights and interests of developing countries will not change, Li Zhen Xi Jinping has made it clear that China is still a member of the "global south", to promote global trade and inclusive development
Looking at Li Chenggang's own situation, he was just appointed as the international trade negotiator and deputy minister of the Ministry of Commerce in March 2025, and he was still at the ministerial level. This shows that his work is recognized, and he was not transferred because he didn't do well. The adjustment of cadres in our country is often based on job rotation. The experience accumulated in international organizations can better coordinate the overall work when they return to the Ministry. This kind of job change is very common. There have been similar situations before. After the term of office of overseas representatives expires, they either return to relevant domestic departments or be transferred to other positions, which is a normal flow of cadres.
Another detail can show that this is a routine adjustment, that is, the official information is very standardized. Xinhua News Agency issued a notice of appointment and dismissal directly, and his appointment record was also available before the State Council Bulletin. The whole process was open and transparent, and there was no hiding. If there is any special reason, it won't be publicized so simply and directly. Moreover, in terms of age, Li Chenggang has not reached the age of retirement. Before that, there was a cadre with the same name in Xi'an who was dismissed because he retired at the age, but it was not the same person and could not be confused. When he was in the prime of his life, he was transferred back to China. In fact, he applied his work experience in WTO to wider international trade negotiations, which was regarded as making the best use of people.
To sum up, Li Chenggang has worked for more than four years, his term of office has reached the regular term, and he has done a good job. Now he is rotating normally and replaced by Li Yongzhen. The whole process is in accordance with the rules. The United States and the West are concerned about this position because it is important and has nothing to do with the reasons for our adjustment. We will continue to do the positions we should maintain and the work we should advance.