"Management of foreign trade and economic cooperation must be based on WTO rules," he said.

Shi spoke at the national working conference on foreign trade and economic cooperation, which is to last between December 26-28.

WTO entry means opening the domestic market wider, but it does not mean the country no longer needs management over foreign trade and economic cooperation, Shi said.

On the contrary, management will be more complicated for Chinese officials as they learn new laws and WTO rules instead of giving out executive and administrative orders as in a planned economy, he said.

Shi noted that foreign trade officials must make preparations for China's WTO membership in the following aspects:

* Abandon laws and regulations that run counter to WTO rules, revise those in conflict and devise new ones in accordance with WTO requirements and China's promises.

* Local governments must keep their foreign trade rules, orders, directions and other measures in unity with central government policies.

Central and local governments are required to publish foreign trade laws and rules in nominated periodicals and listen to opinions from all walks of life before formal implementation.

* Adjust tariff rates and improve macro control means, technology supports and information services to help reform domestic industries in the transitional period immediately after China's WTO entry.

The foreign trade minister suggested that an alarm system and data base on imports and exports be set up to preclude either foreign companies' dumping on domestic markets or anti-dumping charges against Chinese companies.

* Actively prepare for a new round of multilateral trade talks among WTO members.

* Properly deal with multilateral, bilateral and regional trade relations on the basis of WTO rules.

* Teach officials about the WTO and its rules and train high-quality experts in international trade, laws, negotiation and anti-dumping.

Shi said the MOFTEC is organizing and editing a series of books on the WTO and will try to publish them as soon as possible after China's WTO entry.

(China Daily 12/27/2000)