Chinese Vice Minister of Finance, Li Yong, called on developed
countries on Sunday to step forward and lead the way in further
opening markets and lowering tariffs. In particular he called for
the reduction or removal of the agricultural export subsidies to
promote progress in world trade negotiations.
In a statement to the meeting of the Joint Development Committee
of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Li
Yong said that the Doha Round?is about development and to what
extent related issues would be addressed?is the key criterion
for the success of the talks.?
As the first round of multilateral trade negotiations after the
establishment of the WTO, the Doha?trade negotiations aim at
further liberalizing the world trade market, he said. "However,
since its launch in 2001, the Doha talks have been proceeding with
tremendous difficulties and frustrations."
Li said the Doha process should give adequate consideration of
the development levels and affordability of the developing members.
It is required that efforts?are made to effectively implement
the special and different requirements of developing members to
enable their adequate participation in the multilateral trading
system so as to permit them to reap real benefits.
"The developing members should be treated as a whole and we are
against the classification of them," he said. "As a new member
China has always been positively participating in the Doha Round
negotiations and playing a constructive role," he said.
The developed members like the United States, the EU and other
countries shoulder special responsibilities and obligations in
promoting progress in the world trade negotiations, Li said.
The Chinese official also called for a long term global clean
energy regulatory system based on the principle of common
responsibilities so as to secure an affordable and reliable world
energy supply for the long term.
(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2006)