RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/SR/5
10 January 2002
(02-0119)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth Session
Doha, 9 - 14 November 2001
SUMMARY RECORD OF THE FIFTH MEETING
Held at the Sheraton Convention Centre, Doha, Qatar
on Sunday 11 November 2001 at 3 p.m.
Chairpersons: The Honourable Mrs. Tebelelo Seretse (Botswana)
(up to the statement by Kenya under agenda item 1)
H.E. Mr. Tomás Dueñas (Costa Rica)
(for the remaining statements under agenda item 1)
H.E. Mr. Youssef Hussain Kamal (Qatar)
(for the Accession of the Separate Customs Territory of
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu under agenda item 2)
Subjects:
1. General statements (agenda item 1)
2. Accession of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu
(agenda item 2)
1. General statements (agenda item 1)
The following statements were made:
Poland H.E. Mr. Janusz Kaczurba
Under-Secretary of State
Ministry of EconomyWT/MIN(01)/ST/76
El Salvador H.E. Mr. Miguel E. Lacayo Arguello
Minister of EconomyWT/MIN(01)/ST/77
Finland H.E. Mr. Kimmo K.I. Sasi
Minister for Foreign TradeWT/MIN(01)/ST/78/Rev.1
Nigeria The Honourable Mustafa Bello
Minister of CommerceWT/MIN(01)/ST/79
Ghana The Honourable Kofi Konadu Apraku, MP
Minister of Trade and IndustryWT/MIN(01)/ST/80
Kenya The Honourable Kipyator N.K. Biwott,
  Egh, MP
Minister for Trade and IndustryWT/MIN(01)/ST/81WT/MIN(01)/SR/5
Page 2
Barbados H.E. Mr. Erskine R. Griffith
Ambassador and Permanent Representative
  to the WTOWT/MIN(01)/ST/82
Iceland H.E. Mrs. Valgerdun Sverrisdottir
Minister of Industry and CommerceWT/MIN(01)/ST/83
Mozambique H.E. Mr. Salvador Namburete
Deputy Minister of Industry and TradeWT/MIN(01)/ST/84
Botswana The Honourable Tebelelo Seretse
Minister for Trade, Industry, Wildlife  And TourismWT/MIN(01)/ST/85
St Lucia H.E. Mr. Edwin Laurent
Ambassador, Permanent Representative
  To The WTOWT/MIN(01)/ST/86
Guyana The Honourable Clement James Rohee, MP
Minister of Foreign Trade and International
  CooperationWT/MIN(01)/ST/87
Madagascar H.E. Mr. Maxime Zafera
Ambassador, Permanent Representative
  to the United Nations at GenevaWT/MIN(01)/ST/88
Guatemala H.E. Mr. Marco Antonio Ventura Mejia
Minister of EconomyWT/MIN(01)/ST/89
Dominica H.E. Mr. George Williams
Ambassador, Permanent Representative
  to the WTOWT/MIN(01)/ST/90
Colombia H.E. Mrs. Marta Lucía Ramirez de Rincón
Minister of Foreign TradeWT/MIN(01)/ST/91
Tunisia H.E. Mr. Tahar Sioud
Minister of CommerceWT/MIN(01)/ST/92
Liechtenstein H.E. Mr. Hansjörg Frick
Minister for National Economy, Health and
  Social AffairsWT/MIN(01)/ST/93
Burkina Faso H.E. Mr. Bédouma Alain Yoda
Minister of Trade, Business Promotion and  HandicraftsWT/MIN(01)/ST/94
FAO
(Observer)Mr. Hartwig de Haen
Assistant Director-GeneralWT/MIN(01)/ST/95WT/MIN(01)/SR/5
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The following statements were circulated:
Oman H.E. Mr. Maqbool Ali Sultan
Minister of Commerce and IndustryWT/MIN(01)/ST/72
Bahrain H.E. Mr. Ali Saleh Al-Saleh
Minister of Commerce and IndustryWT/MIN(01)/ST/74
United Arab Emirates H.E. Mr . Fahim bin Sultan Al-Qasimi
Minister of Economy and CommerceWT/MIN(01)/ST/75
Lao People's Democratic
Republic
(Observer)H.E. Mr Siaosavath Savengsuksa
Vice Minister, Ministry of CommerceWT/MIN(01)/ST/98
Belarus
(Observer)H.E. Mr. Vladimer Sulimsky
Ambassador to the State of QatarWT/MIN(01)/ST/99
Bosnia and Herzegovina
(Observer)H.E. Dr. Azra Hadziahmetovic
Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic
  RelationsWT/MIN(01)/ST/100
Participation of Developing
Countries in the Development
and Application of International
Standards, Guidelines and
Recommendations on FoodSafety, Animal and Plant HealthDirectors-General of the Food and
  Agriculture Organization of the United
  Nations, the Office International des
  Epizooties, the World Health
  Organization, the World Trade  Organization, the President of the
  World Bank (Joint Statement)WT/MIN(01)/ST/97
2. Accession of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu
(agenda Item 2: Action by Ministers)
The CHAIRMAN recalled that in September 1992, the GATT 1947 Council had established a
working party to examine the request by the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen
and Matsu for accession to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.  Having regard to the
Decision adopted by the General Council on 31 January 1995, the GATT 1947 Accession Working
Party had been transformed into a WTO Accession Working Party.  The Report of the Working Party
was now before the Ministerial Conference in document WT/MIN(01)/4 and Add.1 and 2.
Mr. Morland (United Kingdom),  Chairman of the Working Party, introducing the report said
that the Working Party had carried out an examination of the foreign trade regime of Chinese Taipei
during the period 1992 – 2001.  Chinese Taipei had also carried out market access negotiations with
interested Members on goods, including agriculture, and services.  The results of the accessionnegotiations, constituting the terms of Chinese Taipei 's entry in to the WTO, were contained in the
following documents: the Report of the Work ing Party (WT/MIN(01)/4, also circulated as
WT/ACC/TPKM/18); the Schedule of Concessions and Commitments in Goods
(WT/MIN(01)/4/Add.1, also circulated as WT/ACC/T PKM/18/Add.1);  and the Schedule of Specific
Commitments in Services (WT/MIN(01)/4/Add.2, also circulated as WT/ACC/TPKM/18/Add.2).
This accession package had been adopted by the Working Party at its meeting on 18 September 2001
on an ad referendum  basis.  By this action, the Working Party had completed its mandate and had
forwarded the documentation to the General Counc il for onward transmission to the Ministerial
Conference for decision, as appropriate.  The Appe ndix to the Report reproduced the draft DecisionWT/MIN(01)/SR/5
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for the Ministerial Conference and the draft Protocol of Accession of the Separate Customs Territory
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu to the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization.
In accordance with usual WTO practice, the Prot ocol of Accession incorporated the specific
commitments undertaken by Chinese Taipei in the Report of the Working Party.
He wished to pay tribute to the efforts, g oodwill and spirit of compromise shown by all
Members to overcome the difficulties encountered in this accession process with diligence and
pragmatism.  As Chairman of the Working Party, he recommended the Report of the Working Party,
as well as the draft Decision and Protocol of Accession for approval by the Ministerial Conference.
The Ministerial Conference approved the text of the Protocol of Accession (WT/L/433,
Annex), and in accordance with the Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the
WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), adopted the Decision on the Accession of the
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (WT/L/433).  The MinisterialConference then adopted the Report of the Wo rking Party in document WT/MIN(01)/4 and Add.1
and 2.
Mr. Lin Hsin-I, Minister of Economic Affairs of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan,
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, speaking as an observer , said that after 12 years of hard work, the
Decision adopted by the Ministerial Conference on Chinese Taipei's accession was a historic moment.
This event not only illustrated Members' support and acknowledgement, but also represented the trust
and commitment of Chinese Taipei's people toward the multilateral trading system embodied by theWTO.  He wished to express gratitude to Members for their support and assistance during the
accession process and to the Chairman of the Working Party for his excellent Chairmanship.  While
its accession had just been approved today, Chines e Taipei was not a stranger to the WTO rules and
practice as they had gone through several hundred bilateral and multilateral talks over the past
12 years.  It had witnessed the conclusion of the Uruguay Round negotiations and the birth of theWTO and fully recognized the importance of the WTO to its trade and economic development.  At the
same time, it clearly understood the status and the spirit of the WTO agreements.  As a new Member,
Chinese Taipei would honour its commitment by follo wing the WTO rules and principles.  It would
actively participate in all WTO activities and would work with all Members to draw up new trade and
economic rules, thereby making a constructive contribution to the multilateral trading system.  The
Protocol of Accession of  Chinese Taipei to the WTO which had just been adopted, not only
represented Chinese Taipei's determination to brin g its trade regime into full compliance with the
WTO Agreement, but also embodied its commitment to opening its market further for interested
Members.  As a new WTO Member, Chinese Taipei would provide a freer and more open market for
goods and services as well as a fair and transparent trade and economic environment.  As the
fourteenth largest trading power, the market oppor tunities to be generated by Chinese Taipei's
accession would be in the best interests of all Members.  Chinese Taipei welcomed businesses fromall Members to explore the market opportunities it had to offer and to engage in partnership with its
enterprises so as to capitalize on its strengths in production, technology and logistics, and expand
business opportunities worldwide.  The GATT and the WTO had made significant achievements over
the past 50 years in promoting trade liberalization and improving the welfare of the world population.
Chinese Taipei had also benefited from these achievements and had high economic growth and livingstandards.  Chinese Taipei recognized the paramount importance of the WTO to global trade,
economic and social development.  It anticipated that this Ministerial Conference would help
formulate a fair, reasonable and transparent set of rules for deeper and broader trade liberalization.
Such developments would  help Members to enhance their national competitiveness and efficiency.
This Ministerial Conference was a timely and important one at a time when most Members facedeconomic slowdown.  The conclusion to be reached in this Conference would not only provide new
momentum needed for the recovery of worl d economy, but would also lay down important
groundwork for planning and implementing future tr ade liberalization.  Therefore, Chinese Taipei
looked forward to a broad-based and balanced ne w work programme which would effectively address
the concerns of Members at different levels of development.  This work programme would serve as aWT/MIN(01)/SR/5
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solid foundation for sustaining the free and stable world trade development in the years to come.
Finally, he expressed appreciation to the State to Qatar for the tremendous efforts it had put into this
Ministerial Conference and wished all the delegates good health and this Ministerial Conference a
great success.
All representatives who spoke welcomed the Minister of Economic Affairs of the Separate
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, Mr. Lin Hsin-I and other members of the
delegation of Chinese Taipei, and the accession of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu,
Kinmen and Matsu and looked forward to working with the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan,
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu in the WTO.  They expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Chairman
of the Working Party for his chairmanship as well as to Members and to the Chinese Taipei delegation
for this major achievement.  Most representatives  who spoke said that Chinese Taipei's accession to
the WTO would strengthen the multilateral trading system and contribute to the universality of this
organization.  The representatives of Slovenia, Canada , Chad , Guatemala , Nicaragua  and Malawi
wished to be placed on record as welcoming and supporting the accession of the Separate CustomsTerritory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.
1
The representative of the United States said that this was a historic achievement nearly nine
years in the making.  This represented great progress for Chinese Taipei, the WTO and the world
trading system.  It was a special privilege for him personally to take part in this event, because he
recalled with pride assisting Chinese Taipei's membership in APEC a decade ago and he would like to
thank his colleague, Mr. Bader, for his tenacious and patient efforts to "make today a reality".  As oneof the world's largest economies, Chinese Taipei was already a significant global player.  Chinese
Taipei would have a major contribution to make to this organization as its delegation would take its
place on an equal footing with others in the WTO.  Over the last two decades, Chinese Taipei had
transformed its market from a developing economy to a trade and economic powerhouse and was
joining the WTO as a developed economy.  The people of Chinese Taipei could be very proud thatthey had done so at the same time that they had built a democratic system of government in a
pluralistic society.  Chinese Taipei was a striking  model for others to follow.  With Chinese Taipei
acceding to the WTO,  Members had expanded access to Chinese Taipei's markets and would enjoy
trade based on internationally accepted rules.  In his view, Chinese Taipei would contribute positively
to the negotiations which would hopefully be launched in Doha.  Accession to the WTO would give
Chinese Taipei a place in the multilateral trading system which it had earned and deserved.
The representative of the European Communities said Chinese Taipei's accession negotiations
had been shorter and easier to conclude than that of Mainland China, but greater significance was in
the membership itself.  The Government of Chinese Taipei deserved credit for a solid package of
commitments that reflected its status as a mature market economy with acceptance of full developed-
country disciplines.  Chinese Taipei was one of the world's more important trading partners and was avery important trading partner for the European Union.  It had a proven track record of extending
trade even during times when the Asian region experienced great difficulties.  In his view, Chinese
Taipei's role in the WTO would be positive and would contribute to further enhance the objectives of
the organization.
                                                     
1 In their respective statements under agenda item 1, other representatives also welcomed and
supported the accession of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.  These were,among others, Austria, Barbados, Belgium on behalf of the Presidency of the European Union, Benin, Burundi,
Cameroon, Chile, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Greece, India, India, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kyrgyz
Republic, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua,Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Saint Vincent and theGrenadines, Turkey, Venezuela, Zambia, Nepal (as an observer), Russian Federation (as an observer),Viet Nam (as an observer).WT/MIN(01)/SR/5
Page 6
The representative of Japan said that Chinese Taipei was an important trading partner for
Japan and he wished to congratulate it on its membership in the WTO.
The representative of El Salvador said that Chinese Taipei was one of the most important and
dynamic economies of the world and a significant pillar of the development process of many regions
of the world.  Both through its technology transfer and its investments, Chinese Taipei contributed to
improving the quality of life of many people in many countries.  Its democratic development was a
source of inspiration to many Members.   Members should congratulate themselves in having Chinese
Taipei as a fully-fledged Member in this organization.  Throughout this long and difficult accession
process, Chinese Taipei had carried out an important exercise in reviewing its trade policies in order
to comply with the multilateral disciplines.
The representative of Korea said that over the years in pursuing its economic development,
Chinese Taipei had shown the importance of its engagement to international trade and was an
example for all Members.  Throughout these years, Korea had shared with Chinese Taipei the same
dedication to free trade and economic development.  With Chinese Taipei's membership, the WTO
had finally established a firm foothold in East Asia.  Chinese Taipei was a very important tradingpartner for Korea, and with its accession to the WTO their bilateral relationship would be further
strengthened.  Chinese Taipei would undoubtedly play an active leading role in strengthening free
trade in East Asia and in the world.
The representative of The Gambia, also speaking on behalf of the African countries
, said that
this historic occasion was the culmination of several years of hard negotiations.  Most economies in
Asia, including Chinese Taipei, depended heavily on trade for economic growth and development.
Chinese Taipei played a vital role in world trade and therefore its participation in the WTO would be
a boost to all Members.  The Gambia enjoyed good relations with Chinese Taipei based on mutual
respect and equality of nations.  The Gambia had consistently advocated and strongly supported themembership of Chinese Taipei to the United Nati ons and other international bodies, including the
WTO.  The exclusion of an economy that was home to 23 million people with a liberal trade regime
was not only unjust and unfair but undemocratic.  The Gambia looked forward to working closely
with Chinese Taipei in the WTO in their common drive to reduce poverty and build a more inclusive
world.
The representative of Senegal said that this was the happy conclusion of an undertaking
which had started 12 years ago.  Senegal had strong ties with Chinese Taipei.  Chinese Taipei's
economic dynamism and potentials would undoubtedly contribute to the multilateral trading system.
With the accession of China, which Senegal also welcomed, and with that of Chinese Taipei, the
WTO was making a step towards becoming a universal organization.  Senegal, however, still looked
forward to the accession to the WTO of LDC's, Af rican countries and other countries who were not
yet Members.
The representative of Thailand, speaking on behalf of ASEAN Members , said that Chinese
Taipei's accession should contribute to expanding trade volumes and economic growth regionally as
well as globally.  ASEAN looked forward to working closely and constructively with the newMembers in the WTO with the view to achieving the objective of trade liberalization and prosperity of
all.
The representative of Colombia said that Chinese Taipei was an economy which was in the
ongoing process of development.  Its businessmen had a global vision well before the globalization
process.  The lack of many raw materials was not an obstacle to them, but rather an opportunity to
increase the effectiveness and productivity of its economy.  Despite the size of its economy, Chinese
Taipei had reached a better level of competitiveness than that of other economies of a greater size.
Chinese Taipei was concentrating on production and marketing of value-added, instead of
concentrating on production of commodities, as done by many developing countries.  With thisWT/MIN(01)/SR/5
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strategy, Chinese Taipei had become a true world economic power.  Within the WTO framework,
Chinese Taipei would further increase its participation in world trade, in the global flows of
investment and technology, and  in the development of the developing world.  Members should follow
Chinese Taipei's example.
The representative of Paraguay said that Chinese Taipei had demonstrated its capacity to
become an economic power and was an advocate of international trade.  Paraguay had developed
trade relations with Chinese Taipei as well as technological and investment exchanges, which
benefited both nations.  Paraguay hoped that other acceding countries, such as the Russian Federation,
Algeria, Saudi Arabia and other developing countries would also be able to join the WTO.  These
accessions would be beneficial to the multilateral trading system and to all Members.
The representative of Burkina Faso said that Chinese Taipei's accession demonstrated how the
WTO preserved its rules of universality and of organization of international trade.  Chinese Taipei had
partnership agreements with a number of least-developed countries and its accession to the WTO
would further strengthen these relations.  This accession would also be beneficial to Chinese Taipei
itself and to Members.
The representative of Honduras said that Chinese Taipei's accession marked a historic event
for this organization.  Chinese Taipei was one of the economies which had reached a rapid growth in
international trade and had become a very important trade partner to many Members.  With its
accession to the WTO as a fully-fledged Member, Chinese Taipei's economy based on WTO rules anddisciplines would foster international economic cooperation.
The representative of the Dominican Republic said that Chinese Taipei was an example to
them as its people had converted its economy into one of the most dynamic of the world.
The representative of Costa Rica said that Chinese Taipei's accession had taken several years
and the negotiations process had not been easy.  Chinese Taipei had an important participation in
world trade and its economic annual average growth rate during the last decade had reached levels of
about 8 per cent.  Moreover, it had become a solid democracy.  With its positive and constructive
attitude, Chinese Taipei would contribute tremendously to the multilateral trading system in the
future.
The representative of Panama said that Chinese Taipei represented a key cornerstone of world
trade and was an important trade partner to Panama.  Panama welcomed all the new Members for
their firm decision to participate actively in the multilateral trading system.  Each new Member was
an important pillar for the proper functioning of the multilateral trading system.  These new
accessions were a clear signal for Members to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions throughtrade liberalization, particularly now that the economic recession was generalized.  He was convinced
that together with Chinese Taipei they would work toward the improvement of the development
situation of many countries.
The representative of New Zealand said that  Chinese Taipei's accession represented another
significant milestone in the short history of the WTO.  He believed that New Zealand and Chinese
Taipei would share close interests and objectives across a broad range of issues in the WTO setting.
Chinese Taipei's membership would enhance the already strong commercial relationship that existed
between both economies.
The representative of Australia said that Chin ese Taipei's participation in the multilateral
trading system was a significant event.  The potential economic benefits in trading opportunities that
could flow from this accession was an important development for all Members, including Australia.
Chinese Taipei was Australia's eighth largest trading partner in 2000 and Australia hoped to continue
working hard to strengthen their solid bilateral trading relationship.WT/MIN(01)/SR/5
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The representative of Swaziland said that his country had a very strong and growing
relationship with Chinese Taipei and it was in that  context that his delegation wished Chinese Taipei
all the best in its trade in the world.
The representative of the Czech Republic, on behalf of CEFTA countries and Croatia,
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, said that Chinese Taipei was an important trading partner of many
Members and was contributing substantially to world trade.  With its accession, their respective trade
relations with Chinese Taipei would enter into a new stage and would be further strengthened.
The DIRECTOR-GENERAL said that  Chinese Taipei's liberal and  modern economy was a
testimony of the benefits of open trade in goods and services.  The accession of Chinese Taipei to the
WTO would ensure its continued growth and future prosperity, as well as safeguarding its position asone of the world's major economies.  With Chinese Taipei's accession, the WTO rules-based system
would serve a pivotal role in underpinning global stability and economic cooperation.  The Accession
of both China and Chinese Taipei was a momentous event.
The Ministerial Conference took note of the statements and expressions of support.
The CHAIRMAN then informed the Ministerial Conference that the Signing Ceremony of the
Protocol and Accession of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu
would take place on 12 November 2001 at 7 p.m in the Emir's Lounge I.  A Press Conference would
immediately follow the Signing Ceremony in the Hall Al-Rayan.
The meeting adjourned at 7.20 p.m.
__________