Hu Chusheng, MOFTEC spokesman, told a press conference that the two sides exchanged views on Sino-US trade and economic relations and China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

He said that 37 WTO members have asked for bilateral market accession negotiations with China, and China has concluded such talks with 36 members over the past five years, including the United States and European Union, adding that its negotiations with Mexico is still going on.

A multilateral accession procedure concerning China’s entry has already been put in motion, the spokesman said, and China is making preparations to join the global trade organ.

He said that China’s stance on the matter remains unchanged, and China’s WTO entry is what is needed for its reform and opening up drive, adding that such an entry will be a major event in the course of China’s reform and opening-up, and exert a profound impact on its economic growth in the 21st century.

China as a responsible country will strictly honor its commitments, and China also hopes that other WTO members will observe their own commitments, he stressed.

(People’s Daily 10/14/2000)