International Trade Lawmaking @ Beijing Normal University

The Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum (APTFF) is the leading regional platform for the exchange of information, experiences and practice on trade facilitation. The APTFF has been organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and a growing number of partners since 2009, including UNCTAD, WCO and WTO. It is held biennially and attracts more than 250 participants from 30 countries. The 9th APTFF took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Delhi, New Delhi, India on 17-18 September 2019. The Forum was organized by ESCAP and ADB in collaboration with the Government of India and the Confederation of Indian Industries.

The Forum focused on how digital and sustainable trade facilitation measures and practices can bring prosperity to the Asia-Pacific region and investigated the opportunities from trade digitalization for sustainable development of the region, and challenges ahead in materializing such opportunities. it featured panel discussions, interactive and informative sessions allowing participants to share experiences and perspectives on different aspects of trade facilitation, including trade finance, cross-border e-commerce, paperless trade, and innovative application of emerging technologies, among others. The Forum brought relevant regional initiatives and implementation cases to each session to make it a unique opportunity to share knowledge and practical lessons. A number of side events were organized throughout the week in collaboration with other partners to provide more in-depth exploration of pertinent trade facilitation issues. The Forum also included an exhibition for relevant service providers and international organizations to promote their work in this area.

Prof. Xue gave an important presentation at  Session 5: Trade facilitation for e-commerce: Emerging innovations for seamless cross-border transactions by emphasizing the value of cross-border data flow in the paperless trade facilitation and encouraged the Member States to take action according to the WTO TFA with respect to data regulations. Prof. Xue’s presentation attracted many questions from the audience and she responded effectively to each of them.

Prof. Xue was also invited to take part in the APTFF Capacity Building Workshop on Cross-border Paperless Trade Facilitation, a side event organized by UNESCAP and ADB. The workshop brought relevant regional stakeholders of cross-border paperless trade and shared experiences and lessons learnt in its facilitation, including issues and challenges faced and actions and measures for implementation. The government officials from selected developing countries in the region as well as representatives from the initiatives on cross-border electronic data exchange from the region and beyond participated in the workshop. Prof. Xue gave the expert legal opinions on seven countries’ studies on challenges and way-forward for cross-border paperless trade. Her comments impressed all the stakeholders from the relevant development countries as well as the professionals from the international organizations.

4th CAREC Think Tanks Development Forum “Trading for Shared Prosperity” was held on 27-28 August 2019| Xi’an, Shaanxi and attracted over 100 participants from think tanks, academia, private sector, and government officials from CAREC countries.

Intra-regional trade is particularly significant today due to the growing trade conflicts among major trading partners. This situation not only threatens to dampen the prospects for global growth prospects; it also weakens the multilateral governance system that has underpinned trade relationships between and among countries over many years. Without question, trade is an overarching economic objective without which there can be no multiple positive consequences. The 4th CTTDF inter-alia identified and discussed the main challenges to trade within the region, among which are the economic implications of the burgeoning trade conflicts among the major global trading partners. An assessment of these tensions identified the necessary policy mechanisms for CAREC member countries to craft positive responses and avert negative consequences to the region.

Prof. Xue in her Speech “Policy Implications for CAREC Region in terms of taxation, licensing and regulations” presented that the new technologies like IoT, big data, AI and blockchain enable CAREC countries to leapfrog in development of e-commerce and digital economy. Appropriate legal and regulatory system are essential for application of new technologies and release their great potential for economy and trade. New laws that provides enabling trade environment, facilities paperless trade and most importantly removes legal barriers will provide the essential legal recognition, support and endorsement for the success of digital economy. The speech was warmly welcomed by the officials and other participants from CAREC countries. Prof. Xue effectively responded to many questions from the audience.

Strengthening and deepening engagement with national stakeholders of CAREC member countries – i.e., think tanks, academia, civil society, and the private sector – is one of the driving principles of the CAREC 2030 Strategy. By serving as the secretariat to the CAREC Think Tanks Network (CTTN), CI fulfills this mandate through active knowledge exchange with regional think tanks, of which CI is also a member. The CTTN organizes the CAREC Think Tanks Development Forum (CTTDF) annually. From its modest beginning in 2016, the CTTDF has grown in size, visibility, and appeal. Now into its fourth year, the forum has become an attractive destination for regional think tanks, universities and researchers to exchange views and knowledge on evolving regional and global policy challenges.