China Tuesday becomes a formal member of the World Trade
Organization (WTO), the multilateral trade body's 143rd member.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (
MOFTEC) said China will play an active role in the world trade
body.
China is soon to send its ambassador to the WTO, as well as a
delegation to Geneva -- headquarters of the WTO -- according to a
statement issued by MOFTEC Monday.
The ministry vowed China will abide by WTO rules and carry out its
commitments while enjoying its rights as a member.
"China will take an active part in the new round of multilateral
trade negotiations of the WTO, and hopes to play a positive and
constructive role along with other members,'' said the MOFTEC
statement.
The State Economic and Trade Commission announced Monday it has
abolished the first batch of 13 rules drafted by central government
departments before the end of last year.
The drive aims to allow the government to adapt to new situations
after China joins the WTO, a commission official said.
The Chinese government formally approved the multilateral agreement
on its WTO accession on November 11, which comes into force Tuesday
and signifies the WTO's formal acceptance of China as a member.
The close of China's 15-year quest to join the WTO is significant
to the country, as well as the world, said the MOFTEC
statement.
China's WTO membership is expected to promote the country's own
reform, opening up and economic development, boost confidence in
the global economic growth and secure the development of the
multilateral trade mechanism.
"China is to make an active and positive contribution to the
development of the world's economy and trade," according to
MOFTEC.
China is expected to launch Tuesday a new set of stamps to
celebrate its formal entry into the WTO.
(China
Daily December 11, 2001)