China's WTO envoy voices support for Okonjo-Iweala's appointment

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China has again congratulated Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her appointment as first African and first female Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Li Yihong, Minister Counselor of the Permanent Mission of China to the WTO expressed her support for Okonjo-Iweala's appointment, noting that many people were excited about it.

"Protectionism and unilateralism are spreading globally. People hope that the WTO can do something, especially amid the pandemic. Many members and the international community are very excited about the new appointment. It shows people's support for the new chief, and their belief and confidence in multilateral trade," she said.

Okonjo-Iweala has a long and widely respected career in politics and finance. She served two terms as finance minister of her native Nigeria and worked at the World Bank for 25 years, at times under Christine Lagarde.

In addition to her government career, which included negotiating for much of Nigeria's sovereign debt to be forgiven, she lays claim to a distinguished academic record. Okonjo-Iweala received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University in the U.S., before going on to read for a PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.