BEIJING -- China, as a responsible major developing country, stands ready to make contributions at the World Trade Organization commensurate with its ability, in line with the principle of balancing rights and obligations, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

No matter how the external environment changes, China will always stand with developing members of the WTO and safeguard their interests, MOC spokesperson Gao Feng said at a press conference.

Gao made the remarks in response to British International Trade Secretary Liz Truss's recent comment concerning China's developing country status.