China Pushes for Early WTO Entry Amid EU Negotiations

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji on May 8 expressed his desire for a swift conclusion of the Sino-EU agreement on China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Zhu's comments came during a meeting with visiting Danish Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, where they discussed the ongoing negotiations. Zhu emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement as soon as possible, while Rasmussen assured that Denmark firmly supports China's early entry into the WTO. Meanwhile, European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy is scheduled to visit China on May 15 for further talks.

Key Takeaways:

• Zhu Rongji urged an early conclusion of the Sino-EU agreement on China's WTO entry, stating that negotiations are in the final stage.
• Pascal Lamy, European Trade Commissioner, is set to visit China on May 15 for a new round of talks.
• Denmark, led by Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, firmly supports China's entry into the WTO at an early date.
• The two-way trade volume between China and the EU reached 55.7 billion US dollars in 1999, representing a 14% increase from the previous year.
• China was the fourth largest trading partner of the EU in 1999.
• The Sino-EU negotiations involved three rounds of talks earlier this year, held in Brussels and Beijing.
• The European Union is China's third largest trading partner.

Statistics:

• 55.7 billion US dollars: the two-way trade volume between China and the EU in 1999.
• 14%: the increase in two-way trade volume between China and the EU from 1998 to 1999.
• 1999: the year in which two-way trade volume hit 55.7 billion US dollars.
• May 8: the date of Zhu's comments urging an early conclusion of the Sino-EU agreement.
• May 15: the scheduled date of Pascal Lamy's visit to China for further talks.
• 1999: the year in which China was the fourth largest trading partner of the EU.
• Three rounds: the number of Sino-EU talks held earlier this year.

Sources:

• XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
• COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)