Moore welcomes China—U.S. agreement on Chinese accession

Mr. Moore, who met with both Chinese Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick in Shanghai during the ministerial meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, said he was impressed with the focus and determination shown by both ministers. 

“This weekend's announcement clearly represents the push we needed to accelerate China's accession so that a decision on China's membership can be taken by our Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar this November,” he said. “China's clear commitment to a rapid accession as well as its unequivocal support for launching a new round of multilateral trade negotiations bodes extremely well for the Doha Ministerial Conference and the future of the WTO.” 

Equally important, Mr. Moore noted, is the declared intention of European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy to move swiftly to conclude outstanding EU issues with China. Mr. Moore urged all participants in the China Accession Working Party to bridge remaining differences during their meeting 28 June to 4 July in Geneva so that a decision on China's WTO membership can be taken this year. 

Mr. Moore said it was important that the key players work quickly to translate negotiating progress into multilaterally viable texts and other related data for the information and approval of WTO Members in Geneva. The forthcoming meeting of the Working Party offers an excellent opportunity to make progress in this area, he said. 

“The stage is clearly set for a substantive negotiating meeting later this month and for intensive work between now and Doha to clear up other parts of China's final accession package.”