A Study on China's Sustainable Foreign Trade Development Plan in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution

As the 4th industrial revolution brought new international competition patterns, China's foreign trade was faced with changes in the trade environment, trade structure, and trade patterns. The purpose of this study is to present a sustainable foreign trade development plan for China in the era of the 4th industrial revolution. Accordingly, this study analyzed the changes in China's foreign trade following the 4th industrial revolution and suggested the following foreign trade development plans based on this. First, in response to changes in the trade environment, China should strengthen its trade competitiveness by optimizing its innovation system by promoting the protection of intellectual property and fostering scientific and technological talents. Second, in order to respond to changes in the trade structure, China should optimize its digital trade structure and promote the digitization of service trade. Third, in response to changes in trade patterns, China needs to build a safe trade platform, expand investment in human capital, and build a global networking ecosystem.