   
  
PRESS/844  
 
19 November  2019 
(19-7881) Page: 1/2 
    
 
PRESS RELEASE  
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
China contributes USD  500,000 to support least -developed 
countries and WTO accession  
The government of China is renew ing its contribution of USD 500,000 (approximately CHF 
500,000)  to the WTO's Least -Developed Countries and Accessions Programme  (also known as the 
"China Programme ") in 2019.  The contribution was confirmed at a signing ceremony with WTO 
Director -General Roberto Azevêdo and China's WTO Ambassador , Xiangchen  Zhang,  on 
18 November 2019.  
 
Initiated in July 2011 under the WTO's Aid for Trade initiative , the China Programme  aims to help  
least-developed countries (LDCs)  further integrate into the global economy by  supporting  their 
participation  in WTO activities a nd help ing acceding LDCs in their  WTO member ship negotiations.   
 
China and the WTO have renewed their memorandum of understanding for the programme on an 
annual basis since 2011. The programme forms part of the WTO's technical assistance and 
capacity -building activities, reflected in the WTO's Biennial Training and Technical Assistance Plans 
that members adopt in the Committee on Trade and Development every two years.  
 
The China Programme provides financ ing to support :  
 
• WTO internship s for candidates from developing countries, LDC members and acceding 
LDCs 
• annual round table m eetings  on WTO accession  
• participation by capital -based LDC officials  in WTO meetings  
• South -South Dialogue on LDCs and Development  
• LDC Trade Policy Review follow -up workshops.  
 
More information can be found  here. 
 
DG Azevêdo  said: "I welcome this new contribution from China. Through this programme, China 
supports the integration  of LDCs into the global economy, including through accession to the 
WTO."  
 
China's WTO  Ambassador , Xiangchen  Zhang , said:  "China has consistently been support ing the 
WTO’s Aid for Trade Initiative and has provided trade -related technical assistance to LDC s under 
the China Program me since its inception  several years ago . We are renewing this programme  to 
help LDCs better understand the current  challenges  the Organization  is facing and improve their 
preparedness so as to better integrate into the multilateral trading system. We appreciate our PRESS/844  
 
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  cooperation with the Secretariat and look forward to the successful implementation of the renewed 
program me.” 
 
Since 20 11, China  has contributed  USD 3.2 million (approximately CHF 3.2 millio n) to this 
programme . 
 
 
END 