Chinese culture series brings traditional arts, contemporary expressions to WTO

Under the theme "Opportunity China: Exploring and Sharing the Future", a series of Chinese cultural events opened on Tuesday at the World Trade Organization headquarters in Geneva during the WTO Public Forum 2026, showcasing traditional arts and contemporary cultural expression to over 4,000 Public Forum participants.

Hosted by the State Council Information Office of China and the Permanent Mission of China to the WTO, the program aims to incorporate cultural exchange into discussions on global trade and economic governance.

The series includes a cultural performance and reception on Tuesday, alongside a contemporary craft exhibition, which runs through Thursday.

Addressing at the "Melody of Harmony" cultural performance and "Opportunity China" reception, China's Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the WTO Li Yongjie said harmony was the cultural theme underpinning the performance and "an important element in Chinese culture that guides us on what we intend to achieve".

"In Chinese culture, harmony arises not from imposing uniformity, but from embracing openness, inclusiveness, and mutual enrichment," she said. "This philosophy of harmony also profoundly shapes our view of the world, including our firm belief in multilateralism."

This year marks the 25th anniversary of China's accession to the WTO, a milestone in the country's reform and opening-up, Li said.

"Over the past 25 years, China has imported more than $45 trillion in goods and services from the rest of the world," she said. "For 15 consecutive years, China has supported the participation of the least-developed countries and the accession of new members through the WTO's China Program."

Looking ahead, China is "committed to creating even greater opportunities for the world through its huge market, sustained opening-up, innovation-driven development, and green and low-carbon transition".