Many sections of the world trading system seem to be living on borrowed time. That is the uncomfortable truth confronting ministers gathering in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, for the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization from Thursday to Sunday. Once the anchor of a rules-based order, the WTO now finds itself squeezed between geopolitical rivalry, resurgent protectionism and institutional challenges.

Unilateral tariffs and other coercive trade policies have already "shredded" much of the global trade rulebook in many places, while the paralysis of certain parts of the dispute settlement system has weakened the WTO's judicial backbone.

It is against this backdrop that China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao delivered the message of the world's largest goods trading country in support of continuity, reform and, above all, development. As he stressed in a meeting with the WTO chief on Tuesday, the multilateral trading system remains indispensable; its core principles — most notably nondiscrimination — must be preserved; and its legitimacy depends on delivering tangible benefits to all, particularly the developing countries.

The challenges faced by the WTO are the consequence of disillusionment among some developed economies with aspects of the system they once championed. For instance, the United States' willingness to question the most-favored-nation principle and to bypass multilateral rules in favor of unilateral tariffs represents a profound shift from the application of rules to the application of power.

Such a shift carries risks. A world in which trade relations are governed by persuasive force rather than agreed rules is one in which smaller and poorer countries lose the most. It is precisely this concern that underpins China's insistence — echoed by most of the member of the Global South — that the WTO must not regress to the "law of the jungle".

Beijing seeks to support the WTO in better fulfilling its responsibility as the world body for trade through reforms. China's decision to forgo new claims to special and differential treatment in WTO negotiations is part of this effort. So, too, is its emphasis on facilitating consensus and advancing incremental reform.

Through promoting South-South cooperation and coordination under the WTO framework, China is committed to helping developing countries integrate into the global trading system by building capacity, expanding market access and sharing experience. In practice, this includes specific initiatives and actions such as some targeted support for African economies.

The implementation of China's zero-tariff policy for the 53 African countries with diplomatic ties with Beijing from May 1 will be conducive to enabling the continent to reorganize its industry chains and boost its export competitiveness. That poses a stark contrast to some developed economies' sweeping unilateral trade policies.

Besides, one of the major problems of the WTO has been its inability to reconcile global rules with national development needs. Disputes over agricultural subsidies, special treatment provisions and policy space for developing countries lie at the heart of the organization's challenges as shown in the ongoing meeting. Without progress on these issues, reform will remain elusive.

Wang's emphasis on placing development at the center of the WTO agenda aligns with a broader consensus. Any sustainable reform must address structural inequities in the system, particularly in agriculture, where rich countries continue to subsidize production in ways that disadvantage poorer competitors. It also needs to restore the credibility of special and differential treatment, ensuring that it functions as a meaningful tool rather than an empty promise.

Institutional reform of the WTO is a prerequisite to realize these objectives. The weakening of the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism has made rules unenforceable, encouraging unilateral actions. Restoring and strengthening this function is essential. Equally important is the question of decision-making. The consensus rule, once a safeguard of inclusivity, has become a source of division. Incremental reforms — such as more flexible negotiating formats — may offer a way forward without undermining legitimacy.

It might be difficult for the meeting attended by over 160 members to deliver a grand bargain. But it can, and should, produce incremental progress: a road map for dispute settlement reform, renewed commitment to development and practical steps on issues such as digital trade and investment facilitation.

In the end, the future of the WTO will depend on whether its members can reconcile power with principle. As Wang stressed, rules still matter — and development must be at their core. The alternative — a fragmented, power-based trading system — is one the world can ill afford.