President Xia Wenbin of the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) proposed building a members' network of Global Alliance for Trade in Services. He made the comments while addressing a preparatory meeting for the alliance in Beijing during the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), which concluded on Sept. 7.
The preparatory meeting also announced that the alliance is scheduled to be established in Beijing this year. So far, over 100 organizations and enterprises from five continents have applied for membership, with their responsibilities covering all the 12 major aspects of service trade.
Attendees of the preparatory meeting discussed the alliance’s charter and its election methods for its first council, and settled the agenda for the alliance's inaugural conference.
Professor Xia hoped for cooperation among the alliance members, the building of a mechanism for brand authentication, and additional efforts to enhance information platforms and a specialized database.
China's Vice-Minister of Commerce Wang Bingnan echoed Xia's proposals, saying the establishment of the alliance is expected to offer Chinese research and regulation solutions, systems, and standards for trade in services.