Synopsis
The outgoing WTO DDG from Asia was also a Chinese national. Beijing views these coveted posts as critical to seek equivalence with the US as a global power.
AFP
Over the past few years China has made concerted effort to influence major institutions as part of its attempt to dominate global discourse.
China has pipped India to bag the post of deputy director general (DDG) at the World Trade Organization, allegedly by using its good offices with director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
India had applied for WTO DDG post from the Asian quota, but China was once again successful in bagging the coveted position for the next eight years. The outgoing WTO DDG from Asia was also a Chinese national. Beijing views these coveted posts as critical to seek equivalence with the US as a global power.
Former Deputy Directors-General
Director-General Roberto Azevêdo appointed four Deputy Directors-General in September 2013: Yonov Frederick Agah of Nigeria, Karl Brauner of Germany, David Shark of the United States and Yi Xiaozhun of China. David Shark served until September 2017 while Frederick Agah, Karl Brauner and Yi Xiaozhun remained in office until March 2021. Alan Wolff of the United States served as Deputy Director-General from September 2017 to March 2021.
Four Deputy Directors-General served under Director-General Pascal Lamy from October 2005 to September 2013: Alejandro Jara of Chile, Valentine Sendanyoye Rugwabiza of Rwanda, Harsha Vardhana Singh of India and Rufus H. Yerxa of the United States.
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