BEIJING - China's commerce ministry said Tuesday that leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states issued their first-ever statement supporting the multilateral trading system, underscoring the SCO's unwavering resolve to safeguard the stability of the global trade order.

The statement was released on Monday during the SCO Tianjin Summit. Describing it as "high-level," a senior official of the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) noted that this marks the first time SCO leaders have jointly issued a statement endorsing the multilateral trading system.

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"The statement is well-timed," the official added. Against the backdrop of a recent framework deal on so-called "reciprocal tariffs" by some WTO members, SCO member states have reaffirmed core WTO principles, such as most-favored-nation treatment and non-discrimination, and urged all parties to uphold international trade law, including WTO rules.

"The statement is development-focused," the official said, noting that it pledges to help developing members achieve industrialization, extends support to least-developed countries in integrating more effectively into the multilateral trading system, and expects concrete outcomes from the WTO's 14th ministerial conference in 2026.

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The official also added that, moving forward, China will deepen communication and cooperation with other SCO member states, actively promote genuine multilateralism, steer WTO reform in the right direction, protect the legitimate interests of developing members, and contribute to building an open global economy.