(Yicai Global) Nov. 16 -- Major world economies have all witnessed positive growth for the first time since the global financial crisis, but need to remain vigilant about global trade protection, Zhu Guangyao, vice minister of China's Ministry of Finance, said at a financial and economic forum in Beijing.

He predicted that trade protectionism will remain an issue next year.

Countries around the globe are facing "serious" trade challenges, he said, such as how to preserve global free trade while adhering to the multilateral trading system and World Trade Organization-centered global trade.

China will continue to allow free trade and will follow WTO principles, Zhu added.