China Reiterates Commitment to WTO Membership

Strategic Insights -

Chinese President Jiang Zemin emphasized China's consistent and clear-cut approach to joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) on October 20, in a visit to London. China has been actively pursuing WTO membership for 13 years, with President Jiang stressing that the country's national interests must be protected in any international economic cooperation. He reiterated that China can join the WTO only on terms for a developing country, with a balance between rights and obligations, and that excessive terms beyond its capacity would be unacceptable.

Key Takeaways:

  • China has been actively pursuing WTO membership for 13 years, with a consistent and clear-cut approach.
  • President Jiang emphasized that China's national interests must be protected in any international economic cooperation.
  • China can join the WTO only on terms for a developing country, with a balance between rights and obligations.
  • China's accession to the WTO must be based on a balance between rights and obligations.
  • President Jiang noted that economic ties between China and the world have become ever closer, with the world needing China for its prosperity, and China needing the world for its development, reform, and opening-up.
  • The Chinese President called on Britain to support China's position and to play a positive role in seeking a rational solution for China's membership in the WTO.
  • China has concluded bilateral negotiations on its accession to the WTO with some developed countries, and is expected to start a fresh round of talks with the European Union.
  • President Jiang stated that the WTO cannot be a complete world organization without China's participation, and that the country's membership is essential for global economic growth.

Statistics:

  • China has been pursuing WTO membership for 13 years.
  • China has concluded bilateral negotiations on its accession to the WTO with some developed countries.
  • China is expected to start a fresh round of talks with the European Union.
  • China's population is approximately 1.2 billion people.
  • The World Trade Organization (WTO) has over [insert number] member countries.
  • China's economic ties with the world have become ever closer.

Sources:

  • XINHUA (no date)
  • COMTEX (no date)
  • News Provided by COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)