Zhu made the remark in a meeting with Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Miguel Mendoza and ministers or vice-ministers of justice, and former government officials from some 15 countries, who are in Beijing to attend the International Symposium on WTO and Legal Services.

He said China has fulfilled its commitment for entering the WTO by sorting out relevant national laws, regulations and administrative rules. It has abolished or amended and worked out a number of laws and regulations in that regard, he said, noting this has won approval from the WTO.

China, which is engaged in improving its legal system, is ready to draw on other countries' experience in legislation, law enforcement and legal services, he said.

The symposium offers a good opportunity for China to learn from other countries, he said.

Mendoza thanked the Chinese government for its support to the symposium and the active participation of the Chinese side.

He said he is ready to further promote cooperation between the WTO members in law service, especially that between developed and developing economies.

Laws to be in line with WTO

China will waste no time establishing a system of foreign-related business laws and regulations in line with WTO principles to create a unified, transparent and non-discriminating legal system.

China, in fulfilling its duty as a member of the WTO, will further strengthen the study, popularization and training about WTO knowledge, said State Councilor Luo Gan at the opening session of the International Symposium on WTO and Legal Services.

After a 15-year quest for WTO full membership, China officially entered this largest global trade organization last year.

"China's entry into the WTO will not only greatly promote China's economic reform and development, but will also have significant and profound influences on its legislative, judicial and legal service sectors,'' said President Jiang Zemin in a letter to the symposium.

The three-day symposium, sponsored by the Ministry of Justice and the All China Lawyers' Association, has attracted more than 400 scholars, officials and lawyers from home and abroad.

Among all the efforts to come in line with WTO regulations, China has already finished sorting-out national regulations and rules that are counter to WTO principles.

After initial pessimism that the market may be lost to stronger competitors from outside China, Chinese law experts, judicial officials and legal service providers now say that China's WTO entry has invited both challenges and opportunities for the country's fledgling but rapidly growing legal service sector.

Minister of Justice Zhang Fusen admitted Wednesday that China's legal services need to improve in professionalism, specialization and internationalization to compete in the global market.

Highlighting the importance of talented professionals in the development of the legal service sector, Zhang briefed participants on the measures China has taken to improve its legal service providers.

These measures include the introduction of a uniform national judicial examination for candidates for positions as judges, lawyers and prosecutors, provisions for law education to improve knowledge and service, and measures to attract overseas legal service personnel to join China's contingent of lawyers.

( September 19, 2002)