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China wants to be a responsible power, just not a ‘developed’ one
As the country edges towards high-income status, it is trying to balance upgrading its economy while holding on to its developing-nation identity.
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When China does eventually attain rich-nation status, it may continue to hang on to its developing-country label for a while longer.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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On the surface, Beijing’s recent announcement that it will forgo benefits given to developing countries in future World Trade Organisation (WTO) deals – while maintaining its identity as one – appears contradictory.
But since the WTO does not have a formal process to determine which country is “developed” or “developing” and leaves it to members to self-designate, China’s status as a developing nation – which it declared when it joined the WTO in 2001 – is still valid.
