Commending the satisfactory implementation of the China Programme, WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo and China’s Trade Minister Mr Hucheng Gao signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 3 December 2013 at the WTO's Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonesia. The MoU extends the programme for another year.

The China Programme, initiated in July 2011 under the WTO's Aid for Trade initiative, aims at strengthening the participation of LDCs in WTO activities and helping those not yet members to join the Organization more easily. “The China Programme does excellent work to support the integration of the least-developed countries into the world economy by facilitating their accession to the WTO,” said DG Azevêdo. “We look forward to further deepening our partnership with China through this programme.”

“As a developing country, China consistently tries to provide support to other developing countries, both bilaterally and multilaterally,” said China's Trade Minister Mr Hucheng Gao. “China feels encouraged that the China Programme has played an instrumental role in facilitating the integration of LDCs into the multilateral trading system. We also appreciate the good cooperation from the WTO Secretariat in the implementation of this Programme and look forward to cooperating with the WTO in the next phase.”

The China Programme supports and finances activities under three pillars: (i) WTO accessions internship; (ii) WTO Accessions Round Table Meetings; and (iii) LDCs' participation in selected meetings which they identify as their priorities.

Under the first pillar, several interns have been involved in the work of the Accessions Division and conducting thematic research projects (see more information).

Under the second pillar, a second High Level Round Table on Accession Best Practices for LDCs was held in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, from 15 to 18 October 2013 (the programme and further information).

Under the third pillar, some LDCs including some African cotton producing countries have participated in relevant WTO meetings.