./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(99)/ST/108
2 December 1999
(99-5323)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Third Session
Seattle, 30 November - 3 December 1999Original:  English
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Statement by H.E. Mr. Shi Guangsheng
Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation
(Speaking as an Observer)
On behalf of the Chinese Government, I would like to extend my congratulations on the
convening of the Seattle meeting.
From Punta del Este of Uruguay to Seattle, 13 years have passed, through which China has
been committed to its bid to enter the multilateral trading system.  Not long ago, China concluded its
bilateral talks with the United States.  Six days ago, we reached an agreement with Canada as well.We are now making greater efforts to conduct negotiations with Members yet to clinch a deal with
China under the principle of equality and consultation, mutual understanding and accommodation and
to strive for an early conclusion of all the talks.   I can predict that in the near future, China will
become a full Member of the World Trade Organization.
China's entry into the WTO will be a great contribution to the multilateral trading system and
a strong support to the new round of multilateral trading negotiations.  After its accession to the WTO,
China will fulfill corresponding obligations and abide by the rules of WTO while enjoying its
legitimate rights as a WTO Member.
The evolving trend of economic globalization characterizes our time.  As one of the major
actors in the economic globalization, WTO plays a crucial role in this process.  The ChineseGovernment fully affirms the important part the multilateral trading system has played in the
promotion of world economic and trade development over the past five decades. Meanwhile as the
biggest developing country in the world, China also feels that the current multilateral trading system
has obvious defects.  Its failure to fully reflect the rights, interests and demands of the developing
countries shows how incomplete and unbalanced this Organization is.
The time of the launching of a new round of negotiations is also the time when the
multilateral trading system has to make choices.  Th e choice we must make today is whether to allow
more countries, including developing countries, to enjoy the opportunities and benefits brought about
by the economic globalization, or to widen the gap between rich and poor countries and even to allowsome countries to be marginalized;  whether to involve all Members in the formulation of
international trade rules for the next century through equal participation and consultation, or to allow
a small number of Members to dominate and control the process and the result of the negotiations.
China holds:First, the economic development objectives of developing countries and corresponding
pattern of gradual market opening should be fully respected.WT/MIN(99)/ST/108
Page 2
Second, developed countries should meet their obligations stipulated in the agreements of the
Uruguay Round, and improve the market access environment for developing countries.
Third, the formulation of new trade rules must have the full involvement of developing
countries.
Fourth, the coordination among developing c ountries should be strengthened, and their
collective negotiation ability in the multilateral trading system should be improved.
Fifth, the new round of multilateral trade negotiations should focus on discussing issues
related to trade.  China holds that those issues that are not related to the functions of WTO such aslabour standards should not be incorporated into the agenda.
The times are advancing and mankind is progressing.  We hope that through the joint
endeavour of all the countries, the new round of negotiations will achieve better results than that of
past negotiations.
On behalf of the Chinese Government, I solemnly declare that after achieving its WTO
membership, China will contribute to the success of the new round of multilateral trade negotiations
in accordance with its own level of economic development.  China will be a responsible and
constructive member in the future multilateral trading system, which has been proved by China'sperformance in the Asian Financial Crisis and China's 13 years' efforts for its entry into the
multilateral trading system.
In conclusion, I'd like to finish my speech with  what we've learned over the past 13 years:
China needs to further open up itself to the world, and the world needs a China that is more open thanever before!
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