Speaking in Bangkok at the IMF–World Bank 2026 Fall Meetings, IMF Asia‑Pacific
deputy director Thomas Helbling said the IMF welcomes China’s efforts to uphold
a rules‑based multilateral trading system. He urged countries to address the
underlying tensions that drive trade disputes and said economies including China
have played a significant role in resolving some differences. Helbling added the
IMF expects Chinese outbound direct investment to help diffuse and deploy new
technologies abroad, notably digital and green energy technologies.
