PRESS RELEASE
PRESS/235
4 July 2001
(01-3358)
MOORE WELCOMES PROGRESS ON CHINA ACCESSION TO WTO
GENEVA – Director-General Mike Moore today welcomed the substantial progress made by WorldTrade Organization member governments in their efforts to complete work on the accession of China
into the organization.
He said the progress made by the Working Party on China's accession this week has improved the
prospects for a decision on China's entry this November at the 4
th Ministerial Conference in Doha,
Qatar.
"It would be a splendid thing if Ministers could take this decision in Doha and clear the way for China
to join the family of governments at our negotiati ng table. The very good work this week by member
governments and Working Party Chairman Pierre -Louis Girard (Switzerland) has brought us one
significant step closer to attaining that objectiv e. In any event, completion of the working-party
process will clearly constitute a major milestone," Mr. Moore said.
Mr. Moore urged member governments to use the time available before the next Working Party
meeting during the week of 16 July to resolve a ll remaining differences and agree on the documents
that must be completed before the Working Party can recommend China's accession to Ministers.
"We are now very close, but we are not there yet. I urge governments to make every effort to
conclude these negotiations as quickly as possible," Mr. Moore said.
Following a week of intense negotiation, the Working Party on China's accession reached agreement
in important areas of its work and succeeded in is olating the remaining differences. The next working
party meeting is scheduled for the week of  16 July.  Ambassador Girard told member governments
that he expected that meeting to focus on comprehensive drafts of the Working Party Report andProtocol of Accession.
END