Thursday, December 11, 2008

China Becomes WTO Member

WTOChina officially entered the World Trade Organization on December 11, 2001, becoming its 143rd member.

WTO Director-General Michael Kenneth Moore sent messages to the WTO members on November 20 to declare that the Chinese government accepted a protocol on its entry to the WTO on November 11. The protocol went into effect today, as China became a member of the WTO at the same time.

China's entry to the WTO is a major event for the country, and the world as a whole. Governments, business circles and social organizations all over the world have sent congratulatory messages to China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, saying that China's entry will benefit its national economy, as well as encourage global economic growth and the improvement of the multilateral trade system.

China will fully participate in all the activities of the WTO, and will send a delegation and an ambassador to the WTO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

A MOFTEC official said that China will enjoy all the rights the WTO gives to other members, and will observe the WTO regulations and its obligations to the organization.

He said that China, as a WTO member, will participate in a new round of multilateral trade negotiations, in which the country will play a constructive role.

Originally Posted: China Business Daily
Author: Angulo Fu