RESTRICTED  
  
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Trade Policy Review Body    
 
*In Original language only/ En langue originale seulement /En el idioma original solamente . 
  CHINA 
DRAFT MINUTES  OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 1 AND 3 JULY  2014 
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat ( Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart @wto.org , or to  tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 6 August 2014. 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
 
CHINE 
PROJET DE COMPTE REN DU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 1 ET 3 JUILLET  2014 
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettr e leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat ( Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 6 août 2014 au plus tard.  
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
 
CHINA 
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 1 Y 3 DE JULIO  DE 2014  
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sr a. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 6 de agosto  de 2014  las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraciones.  
 
 
_______________  
 WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
CHINA 
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETI NG 
Chairperson: H.E. Mrs Mariam MD Salleh  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .......................  3 
2  OPENING ST ATEMENT BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF CHINA  ................................ ........  4 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ................  9 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBER S ................................ ................................ ........................  13 
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF CHINA A ND ADDITIONAL COMMEN TS ............  58 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .........................  69 
 
 
Note: Advance wr itten questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by China are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/300/Add.1 and will be available online 
at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS  BY THE CH AIRPERSON  
1.1.  The fifth Trade Policy Review of China was held on 1 and 3 July 2014. The Chairperson 
H.E. Mrs Mariam MD Salleh (Malaysia) welcomed the delegation of China headed by Mr. WANG 
Shouwen, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Commerce; the rest of th e delegation from Beijing; 
H.E. Mr YU Jianhua , Permanent Representative of China to the World Trade Organization; other 
colleagues from the mission in Geneva; and the discussant, H.E.  Mr Joakim Reiter (Sweden).  
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of the T rade Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report by China was contained in document WT/TPR/G/300 
and that of the WTO Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/300.  
1.3.  Questions by the following delegations had been submitted in writing at  least two weeks in 
advance and had been transmitted to the delegation of China: Pakistan; Argentina; Hong Kong, 
China; New Zealand; Iceland; Switzerland; Guatemala; the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Chile; Japan; Singapor e; Mexico; the  European Union; the United 
States; Turkey; Republic of Korea; Norway and Colombia. The following delegations submitted 
written questions after the two -week deadline: Costa Rica; Canada; Peru; India; Brunei on behalf 
of ASEAN; Australia; Braz il; Malaysia; Thailand; Indonesia; Trinidad and Tobago; and Ecuador.  
1.4.  During the review period, GDP growth in China had slowed down somewhat compared to the 
period covered in the previous review and China's economic policy focus was placed on getting on 
a path to attain sustainable growth. In this respect, the Chairperson was sure that Members would 
be interested in learning more about the measures that China intended to implement to attain 
sustainable development, as well as its views on its future economic  prospects.  
1.5.  In the past, growth in China had been mainly export driven; however, in the last few years 
GDP expansion had also been triggered by strong domestic demand as China had maintained a 
pro-active fiscal policy to boost income and increase consumpti on. Also, the authorities had made 
available large amounts of credit which had financed mainly investment, but had also trickled 
down to the consumer. .  
1.6.  The reports noted that China believed that the multilateral trading system (MTS) should play 
the leadin g role in the process of liberalization, and RTAs should be a complement to the MTS. This 
view was of utmost importance for the MTS and for the world economy as China had become the 
largest trader during the period under review and was one of the primary d rivers of economic 
growth around the world.  
1.7.  The reports indicated that the new Government was set to continue deepening its trade and 
investment liberalization process. China's policy of "opening up" would continue and the 
development of the services secto r had become a priority. To this end, a pilot project to test 
reforms, most notable in the services sector, the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone (SPPFTZ) had 
been launched on September 2013.  
1.8.  The reports noted that despite China's progressive liberalization a nd the promotion of private 
participation in the economy, the role of the State remained important. China's economic, trade, 
investment and development policies continued to be outlined in Five -Year Plans.  
1.9.  At the time of the previous TPR, Members had rais ed questions on: the extent to which China 
supported the different sectors of the economy as well as exports; the use of export restraints as a 
trade policy tool; transparency regarding the development and application of technical regulations 
and SPS measu res; and the protection of IPRs. These concerns were also included in the questions 
posed by Members in the ongoing Review. Members also noted that China had some difficulties to 
comply with WTO notification requirements, especially in the area of subsidie s. 
1.10.   The Chairperson was sure that these and many other themes would be touched upon in 
greater detail at the deliberations on the first and second day of the meeting and Members looked 
forward to hearing China's responses to these and other queries.  
1.11.   The Ch airperson noted that a podcast would be made of this TPRB meeting.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE O F CHINA (MR  WANG SHOUWEN)  
2.1.  It gives me great pleasure to attend the fifth WTO Trade Policy Review of China. First of all, I 
would like to thank you,  Madam Chair, for your warm remarks. I would also like to thank His 
Excellency Discussant Ambassador Joakim Reiter.  
2.2.  My thanks also go to the colleagues in the TPR Division of the WTO Secretariat for their 
tremendous efforts in preparing this meeting and th e Secretariat Report. We wish to thank the 
Secretariat for the great effort it put in the review, although we hold different views on some of 
the issues in the Report.  
2.3.  The Government of China attaches great importance to this review. Over the past weeks, my 
colleagues in dozens of ministries have been working around the clock. We received the last three 
lists of questions just yesterday. Altogether, 30 Members have submitted to China around 
1,600  written questions. By far, we have provided answers to more than 1,400 of them from 
26 Members, including quite a lot of them coming in after the submission deadline of 17 June. For 
the rest of less than 200 questions, we will continue to work very hard to provide replies as quickly 
as possible after the review.  
2.4.  Reform and opening -up has been a basic national policy of China. Since its accession to the 
WTO, China has expedited its reform and opening -up process. China has integrated deeply into the 
global value chain, resulting in fairly fast economic and social dev elopment. After taking office, the 
new Chinese leadership has made major decisions to comprehensively deepen the reform at the 
third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The core of 
the reform is to strike a balanc e between the role of the Government and the role of the market, 
allowing the market to play a decisive role in resources allocation, and bringing the Government's 
role into better play. At present, reform measures are being unfolded across the board, as 
elaborated in the Government Report submitted by China. I would like to highlight some of them 
as follows:  
2.5.  With regard to the reform of the administrative examination and approval system, in 2013, 
the Government of China abolished or delegated 416 items whi ch were previously subject to 
administrative examination and approval, and revised the Catalogue of Investment Projects 
Subject to Government Verification. Those investment projects not listed in the Catalogue are only 
subject to filing procedures instead of verification. As a result, the number of projects subject to 
examination and approval by competent authorities of the State Council has been reduced by 
60%.  
2.6.  As regards the reform of the industrial and commercial registration system, the requirement 
for minimum registered capital has been removed. The paid -in capital system has been replaced 
by one of a subscribed capital system. In 2013, 2.33 million private enterprises were established, 
up by 30% year on year.  
2.7.  Concerning the reform of the fiscal and ta xation system, the pilot program of levying value 
added tax (VAT) in lieu of business tax in certain service sectors has gained momentum and has 
expanded to more provinces and sectors. In August 2013, the pilot program was rolled out 
nationwide. Railway tr ansport and postal services have also been incorporated into this program 
since 1 January 2014.  
2.8.  In relation to the reform of the financial system, new steps have been taken to marketize 
interest rates and the RMB exchange rate. The Government of China has further lifted the control 
on loan interests of financial institutions, adopted the centralized quotation and release mechanism 
for loan prime rate, and widened the fluctuation band range of the RMB exchange rate to 2%.  
2.9.  Efforts have also been made to supp ort the growth of medium, small - and micro -enterprises. 
Some small - and micro -enterprises are allowed a 50% reduction in corporate income tax, and 
temporary exemption from VAT and business tax. Private capital is encouraged to enter sectors 
including finan ce, petroleum, power generation, railway, telecommunications, resources 
exploitation, public utilities and services. In 2013, private investment climbed by 23%, 
representing 63% of the total investment in the country.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 2.10.   Law enforcement in IPR protection has been strengthened. A series of laws and regulations 
concerning IPR have been promulgated. The amount of compensation for IPR infringements has 
been raised, so have the penalties for infringements, both administrative and criminal.  
2.11.   The measures adopted by t he Government of China to comprehensively deepen reform have 
unleashed domestic market vitality and the spending power of the residents. In 2013, the total 
retail sales reached RMB 24 trillion yuan, and 50% of GDP growth was accounted for by 
consumption. I n the meantime, the efforts have been made to create a level playing field for 
businesses based on the principles of openness, transparency, fairness and predictability 
advocated by the WTO.  
2.12.   China's new leadership is also committed to pressing ahead proact ively with the opening -up 
drive and accelerating the improvement of a new open economic system. In this context, a series 
of measures have been adopted for the trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.  
2.13.   Import administration procedures have bee n streamlined. Automatic import license 
administration for over 150 tariff lines at the HS10 -digit level has been removed and the online 
application for license is proceeding smoothly.  
2.14.   New progress has been achieved with customs clearance facilitation. Pap erless customs 
clearance has been promoted. Pilot projects for cross -region customs clearance and "single 
window" services have been launched.  
2.15.   The facilitation of border procedures including quality inspection has improved. From 
15 August 2013 onward, a t otal of 1,507 tariff lines at the HS 10 -digit level from the list of general 
manufactured products were no longer required for compulsory export commodity inspection.  
2.16.   The RMB settlement business for cross -border trade has also been advanced. Import and 
export enterprises may choose RMB for quotation, settlement and payment. RMB cross -border 
trade settlement in 2013 increased by 57% over the year before. By October 2013, the People's 
Bank of China had signed currency swap agreements valued at over RMB 2.5 tr illion yuan with the 
central banks or monetary authorities of 23 countries and regions.  
2.17.   Efforts have been made to continue to encourage inward foreign direct investment (FDI). 
The Catalogue of Priority Industries for Foreign Investment in Central and Weste rn China was 
updated for the third time, adding 173 new items. It encourages FDI in labour -intensive industries 
that meet the environmental requirements in central and western China. Foreign investment 
projects listed in the Catalogue can be deemed as enco uraged by the Government.  
2.18.   Openness in the services industry has been expanded. Efforts have been made to promote 
the orderly opening -up of the financial, education, cultural and medical services sectors. For 
example, foreign investors are allowed to set u p commercial factoring companies in pilot areas, 
and the foreign equity cap in joint -venture securities firms has been raised to 49%.  
2.19.   The reform of foreign exchange administration for capital account has been carried out. 
Foreign exchange administration o f direct investment has been considerably streamlined, with 
elimination of requirements for verification concerning the opening of foreign exchange accounts. 
Approval for QFII quotas has been expedited. The investment quotas for QFII institutions under 
special categories have been increased. The scope of RQFII institutions and their investment has 
been expanded too.  
2.20.   Thanks to the above -mentioned measures, China has maintained sustained and robust 
growth in her two -way investment and external trade. China t oday is the largest trading partner of 
over 120 countries and regions. With a total import and export value of close to US$4.2 trillion in 
2013, China became the world's largest merchandise trader. In breakdown, China's import grew 
by 7.3% year -on-year to US$1.9 trillion, with its share in the world rising to 10.3%. China is now 
a net importer of agricultural products. Its grain imports exceeded 11 million tonnes in 2013.  
2.21.   China's services imports and exports reached US$539.6 billion in 2013. Its trade defic it in 
services rose from US$89.7 billion in 2012 to US$118.5 billion in 2013. Today, China has the 
biggest trade deficit in services globally.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 2.22.   China is one of the most attractive FDI destinations in the world. Last year, China received 
more than US$110 bil lion of actualized foreign direct investment, and ranked top among 
developing countries for 21 years in a row. In breakdown, the services industry utilized over 
US$61 billion, up 14% year on year. This was the first time when the services industry utilized  
more than half of the FDI inflows into China. In the meantime, China's outbound FDI has been 
growing steadily and expanding into an increasing number of areas. Last year, China's outbound 
non-financial direct investment reached US$90 billion. This makes C hina a major source of 
outbound FDI, and has contributed significantly to the south -south cooperation.  
2.23.   Since the last review, the Government of China has adopted other key measures in pursuing 
its opening -up strategy. For example, in September 2013, as you  mentioned earlier, China 
announced to establish the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. The pilot includes key 
elements such as accelerating the transformation of government functions, expanding sectors 
open to foreign investment, advancing trade faci litation, deepening liberalization and innovation in 
the financial sector, and promoting the shift of government administration from pre -establishment 
approval to post -establishment supervision. With respect to promoting the reform of the foreign 
investmen t regime, efforts have been made to explore a model based on the pre -establishment 
national treatment and negative list approach. The purpose is to blaze a new trail and accumulate 
experience for a future rollout across the country.  
2.24.   Furthermore, the Govern ment of China has also put forward the important initiatives of the 
"Silk Road Economic Belt" and the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road".  
2.25.   China is an active participant, staunch supporter and important contributor of the 
multilateral trading system. Through  concrete actions, China has unswervingly supported the WTO, 
and has assumed the due responsibilities of a major developing trading nation.  
2.26.   As an APEC member economy, China strongly supports the multilateral trading system. As 
the host to this year's APEC  meetings, China already hosted the Minister Responsible for Trade 
(MRT) Meeting in Qingdao this May. As we all know, a standalone Statement on Supporting the 
Multilateral Trading System was adopted at the MRT. The statement reaffirmed the value of the 
multilateral trading system and its central and primary status. The statement also called for 
faithful implementation of the Bali Package, pledged to fulfil the objectives and timetable of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement. The statement also urged WTO Members  to jointly come up with a 
clear-cut work plan for the remaining issues of the Doha Development Agenda.  
2.27.   China has been refraining from taking trade protectionist measures, and sticking firmly to 
opening up its market. China remains vigilant over all forms of trade protectionism that 
undermines trade and slows down economic recovery. China firmly opposes trade protectionism, 
and will remain committed to exercising maximum restraint in applying measures that may be 
considered WTO compatible but still have a s ignificant protectionist effect. China fulfils in a timely 
manner its notification obligations under the WTO's financial crisis monitoring mechanism, for the 
purpose of supporting the work of the WTO in monitoring trade and investment measures.  
2.28.   China parti cipates in the WTO Trade Policy Review in an earnest manner. The Government 
of China takes very seriously the constructive feedbacks from other WTO Members in the course of 
the review. In 2014, the General Office of the State Council of China issued the Ci rcular on Further 
Enhancing Trade Policy Compliance. The Circular requires the State Council departments, and 
Governments at provincial level to ensure that when the regulations, regulatory documents and 
other policy measures relative to or with an influen ce on trade in goods, trade in services, and 
trade -related intellectual property rights are formulated, they should be consistent with the WTO 
rules and China's accession commitments.  
2.29.   China strictly implements WTO rulings. China has one of the best track r ecords of 
implementing WTO rulings. China respects the verdicts made by the Panel and the Appellate Body. 
Up until now, 19 complaints have been lodged against China under the WTO, and 14 of them have 
arrived at a final ruling. China cancelled or revised al l the measures that had been determined 
inconsistent with WTO rules within the period of implementation.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 2.30.   China further advances the implementation of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation according 
to the timetable set up by the Bali Ministerial. China notif ied Category A commitments under the 
Agreement to the WTO yesterday.  
2.31.   While remaining committed to giving full play to the fundamental role of the multilateral 
trading system and rules, China also continues to press ahead with bilateral and regional trade a nd 
economic cooperation. Just today, China's free trade agreements with Iceland and Switzerland are 
entering into force respectively.  
2.32.   Although China has participated in some bilateral and regional agreements, the Government 
of China always believes that t he multilateral trading system with the WTO as its core is the main 
channel for promoting global trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. Bilateral and 
regional agreements are useful supplement to the multilateral trading system, rather than i ts 
replacement.  
2.33.   Since its accession to the WTO, China has actively assumed its due responsibilities as a 
major developing trading nation.  
2.34.   China has cut its overall tariff level from 15.3% to 9.8%, and pledged not to use agricultural 
export subsidies. China  has also eliminated all import quotas and specific import tendering 
requirements, and opened up over one hundred services sectors and sub -sectors. China has been 
the largest export market for the LDCs for five consecutive years. On 1 July 2010, China bega n to 
provide duty -free treatment to exports from the LDCs. From then on to April 2013, China imported 
over US$2.2 billion of goods from 26 beneficiary countries, and offered a tariff exemption of 
RMB1.34 billion yuan.  
2.35.   China actively supports the Aid for Tr ade Initiative of the WTO. Since 2008, it has been 
contributing to the Aid for Trade Fund under the multilateral framework of the WTO. In 2011, 
China established "China's LDCs and Accessions Program" (the China Program). In 2012 and 2013, 
China donated US$ 800,000 in total to the China Program and hosted the Roundtable for the LDCs' 
WTO Accession in Beijing, China and Luang Prabang of Laos. During the MC9 in 2013, China 
contributed another US$400,000 to the China Program.  
2.36.   At present, the overall momentum of the economy in China is good. Nevertheless, 
difficulties remain. Economic growth faces a downward pressure, and the internal driving force for 
growth is less than sufficient. The long -standing and deep -rooted problems are still waiting to be 
addressed.  
2.37.   Although it is already the second largest economy in the world, China remains a developing 
economy facing daunting development tasks. At present, with per capita GDP below US$7,000, 
China ranks the 84th in the world. Today, some 128 million people in China s till live below the 
poverty line according to UN standards. China's urbanization process still lags behind. Some 600 to 
700 million people are living in the rural area, and 100 million people in shanty towns in cities. 
China also has a long way to go to re alize industrialization. Overall, products "Made in China" 
remains at the lower end of global value chains. As it fulfils its own development tasks, China also 
stands ready to assume responsibilities in international trade and economic affairs commensurate  
with its own level of development.  
2.38.   Going forward, China will remain committed to comprehensively deepening reform through 
accelerating the restructure of administrative, fiscal and financial systems to boost economic 
vitality across the ownership spectrum . Next year, the Government of China will roll out the pilot 
program of levying VAT in lieu of business tax to more services sectors such as 
telecommunications, finance, construction and real estate. China will also gradually lift access 
restrictions on fo reign investment in child and elderly care, architecture design, accounting and 
auditing, commerce and logistics, and e -commerce.  
2.39.   The Government of China will push forward a new round of opening -up. It will actively 
utilize foreign investment, further open  up the services sector, and create a level playing field for 
Chinese and foreign businesses to compete on an equal footing. China will also further open up 
inland and border areas, and promote upgrading of export mix and trade growth in a balanced 
manner.  It will unify laws and regulations for domestic and foreign investors, improve the WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 investment administration regime and further step up the reform on cross -region customs 
clearance.  
2.40.   China will continue to champion and safeguard the multilateral trading s ystem, support the 
Doha Round negotiations, and help steer the multilateral trading system towards greater balance, 
universal benefit and win for all. The Government of China hopes that economies at different 
development levels and phases would embrace the  spirit of solidarity in times of adversity and 
discard zero -sum practices. China is ready to work with other WTO Members to meet common 
challenges and shape a new prospect for economic globalization featuring win -win cooperation  
2.41.   Madam Chair, with that I c onclude my presentation. I look forward to comments and 
questions from the discussant and other participants.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 3  STATEMENT BY THE DIS CUSSANT  
3.1.  It is a great honour for me to be the discussant at this Trade Policy Review of China.  
3.2.  I would like to extend a warm  welcome to the Chinese delegation, led by His Excellency 
Wang Shouwen, Assistant Minister of Commerce. Allow me also upfront to pay tribute to our 
colleagues here in Geneva, Ambassador Yu and his team, as well as to our former colleague, 
Ambassador Yi, no w DDG in this house.  
3.3.  We have, for today's deliberations, two very comprehensive reports – by the Secretariat and 
by the Chinese Government. We also have – like in the past – a very large set of detailed 
questions by Members. Taken together, these document s basically touch upon many, if not most, 
pertinent specificities of China's trade and trade -related policies and measures.  
3.4.  For this reason, rather than diving into specific details, I will here try to focus on the context 
in which China seems to formulat e its current economic and trade policy as well as on the 
challenges (or even policy conflicts) it seems to face in doing so.  
3.5.  From this point of view, this review comes at a particularly opportune time. Under its new 
leadership, China has established an a mbitious and comprehensive agenda for reforms and 
opening -up as a core priority. The Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC National Congress, in 
November 2013, led to an important "Decision on some major issues concerning comprehensively 
deepening the refo rm". According to the Secretariat, 330 major reform measures covering 
15 areas have been set. China also clearly realizes the importance of succeeding with this 
comprehensive agenda: as suggested by the Chinese Government in its report for this meeting, 
and I quote: "without transformation and upgrading, we will not be able to achieve a sustained 
economic growth." This review should preferably seek to make constructive suggestions on trade 
policy steps that China may wish to consider in order to achieve its  important reform priorities, for 
the purpose of sustained growth and prosperity.   
3.6.  First, however, allow me to highlight some basic numbers and facts, providing a perspective 
of the sheer importance of China for the global economy and world trading system :  
 China is now the second largest economy on earth, in total GDP terms, after the U.S. When 
 using calculations that take purchasing power into account, according to some estimates, 
 China is poised to overtake the U.S. as the world's biggest economy earl ier than expected, 
 possibly as soon as this year. This impressive achievement is, of course, fundamentally a 
 result of the fact that China is and has been among the fastest growing countries in the 
 world, over a sustained period of some 35 years. Since economic reforms began in 1978, 
 per capita GDP has increased from US$148 to almost US$6800 in 2013, a staggering 46 -
 fold jump.  
 China is also now the world's largest trader (excluding intra -EU trade). This is due 
 predominantly to its impressive developm ent of manufacturing exports, accounting for more 
 than 90% of total exports. China is ranked No. 1 in Deloitte's 2013 Global Manufacturing 
 Competitiveness Index and is projected to maintain this position for at least the next five 
 years. Manufacturing e xports have been a blessing for China's development and 
 employment. The production of Chinese goods for foreign markets employs almost one -third 
 of the total labour force in China, or around 230 million workers, far greater than other 
 major players in b oth nominal and relative terms. But China's exports have also promoted 
 imports from the rest of the world, for example creating large gains from trade in raw 
 materials as well as from trade in intermediate goods. In fact, according to the OECD, a 
 signif icant one -third of Chinese exports contains foreign content and for electronics, one of 
 China's key  export successes, foreign content (i.e. imports) represent about 40% of the 
 export value.  
 China's rise as a trading nation has been mutually reinforcing  with FDI -flows, not least 
 through China's integration in global production networks or GVCs. China is the second 
 largest country in terms of attracting FDI, again after US (Note: taking EU as one, China is 
 in third place). According to UNCTAD, FDI infl ows to China have increased from US$3.4 
 billion in 1990 to US$124 billion in 2013. Its total FDI stock reached a value of almost WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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  US$1  trillion  in 2013. To give a sense of magnitude, in 1990, China's investment stock was a 
 bit less than that of Mexico. T oday, it almost 2.5 times larger. And, not to be forgotten, 
 China is now rapidly becoming an important source of FDI for other countries.  
3.7.  Undeniably, therefore, China is a major player in the world economy that has benefitted 
enormously from global trade . But as illustrated during the latest economic crisis, beyond being 
the "factory of the world", China has also become a key "engine for the world". China's growing 
domestic demand, including for imports for final consumption and as inputs to exports, has 
continued to contribute to worldwide economic growth, when the "old" engines have staggered. 
Like most other countries, developing or developed, China is integrating into and benefitting from 
the global economy. But contrary to most, developing or develope d, China is also shaping it.  
3.8.  With size and might follow new responsibilities. Openness by China can directly help others, 
not least the less fortunate, to attain their objectives of development and prosperity. In this 
context, I think we all welcome China 's strong support for the WTO, its commitment to the DDA 
and its readiness to participate in various plurilateral initiatives under the WTO, not to mention the 
capacity building that it has offered. I also think that I can speak for WTO Members in 
congratu lating China for having largely refrained from new protectionist measures at the onslaught 
of the global financial crisis. Similarly, China's decision to grant duty -free access for exports from 
LDCs on 95% of its tariff lines, and with a target of 97% by 2 015, is commendable. I also welcome 
China's submission yesterday of its category A -commitments under the future TF Agreement.  
3.9.  Having said that, in today's world, it is not only what China does positively for others, but 
also what it does for itself that w ill have an impact. By its sheer size, China can beggar -thy-
neighbour. For example, when China adopts export measures to ensure domestic supply, it will 
influence world market prices, affecting the fortunes of net -exporting and net -importing countries 
globally. Or when it takes steps to enhance agriculture production for legitimate concerns over 
food security, it raises questions on how to ensure that other developing countries' food security or 
their incomes from agricultural exports are not jeopardized. O r, for that matter, China's challenges 
in enforcing IPRs, given its status of "factory of the world", can have large effects on trade in 
counterfeited goods globally. The very large set of questions posed by Members to China in this 
review should, in my vi ew, be seen in the light of China's new role as "shaper" of the world 
economy. I would welcome views from the Chinese delegation on how considerations of global 
repercussions of its actions (or inactions) are properly factored into the formulation of refor ms, 
policies and measures.  
3.10.   Notwithstanding the importance of China for WTO and global trade, it is equally worth 
recalling just how multifaceted and complex China's economy continues to be today. Size, no 
doubt, is a mixed blessing. Despite being top play er in the global economy, in global trade and in 
global manufacturing, China still ranks only 101 out of 187 in UNDP's human development index. 
Significant inequalities exist in the distribution of income, not least between urban and rural areas. 
Almost 10 0 million citizens still live below the national poverty line. Rapid economic ascendance 
has also brought serious challenges to environmental sustainability and urbanization. Differences 
between communities, cities and provinces have been augmented.  
3.11.   While  not necessarily motivated by trade considerations, some of the measures imposed by 
China to address these challenges may affect trade and investment, be it different forms of 
support for agricultural and other rural communities, be it specific tax or othe r preferences for 
investments in deprived regions, or projects like the visions of establishing a "Silk Road Economic 
Belt" or the "Maritime Silk Road". It would be interesting to hear more about what targeted 
measures that China is envisaging for national  cohesion and spreading the benefits of trade more 
widely.  
3.12.   Additionally, it is difficult, to say the least, to ensure consistent implementation of laws and 
regulations in such a vast country. But inconsistencies in the implementation of laws, rules and 
regulations do directly affect business with and in China, compounding the often -reported 
problems of predictability and transparency. Ensuring better transparency, predictability and 
consistency should, it seems to me, be a priority both to improve the oper ating environment of 
business – domestic and foreign alike – and to limit the risk of discretionary treatment, 
bureaucratic inertia or even outright misconduct that otherwise can hinder economic progress and 
justice.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 3.13.   As I mentioned before, a major develop ment since the last review and under the new 
leadership, has been the decision at the Third Plenary Session in November last year to embark on 
comprehensively deepened reforms. The Decision clearly stipulates that the reforms should imply, 
and I quote, "gr eatly reducing the Government's role in the direct allocation of resources, and 
promote resources allocation according to market rules, market prices and market competition".  
3.14.   Since trade and investment measures almost per definition interfere with market decisions 
and affect the allocation of resources, this reform agenda should be directly relevant for China's 
future trade policy and its trading relations with the world.  
3.15.   In this light, allow me to make three illustrative comments in relation to the new r eform 
agenda launched in China: (1) China (Shanghai) pilot free trade zone and in particular investment; 
(2) the aim of China to climb the value added chain as regards innovation and services; and 
(3) the role of SOEs and Government involvement in economic  activities in relation to future 
market -driven allocation of resources.  
3.16.   First, the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone was launched in August 2013. Let me here 
only focus on investment as one key area of reforms and opening -up of this pilot. With rega rd to 
investment, the major improvements are threefold: (1) to move to a negative list approach when 
it comes to identifying sectors that are open to foreign investors; (2) to eliminate verification of 
investment projects in sectors not included on the neg ative list; and (3) to establish a single 
window for filing (i.e. registering) foreign investment projects with the authorities. This is a much 
welcomed development. Despite sizeable FDI inflows in the past, there have been in all honesty 
many complaints a bout China's burdensome procedures of verification and approval of 
investments, its many restricted or even prohibited sectors for investors and its ample 
requirements for joint ventures. In fact, when it comes to starting a business, China only ranks at 
158th place in the World Bank Report Doing Business. The obvious follow -up question therefore is 
what plans China has to extend this model to the rest of the country?  
3.17.   Second is the strategy of China to better climb the value -added ladder and capture greate r 
gains from GVCs. China, it seems, has identified innovation and services are core components of 
its strategy. To this end, China is seeking, among other things, to strengthen IP protection, 
promote R&D and strive for orderly opening -up of its services se ctor to trade and investment. This 
is commendable and its achievements to date should be recognized. But China is also facing major 
challenges in this regard. In the case of innovation, despite heavy investment in R&D and a rise in 
patent applications, Chi na has still significant homework to do regarding IP protection. And there 
are question -marks whether innovation, more long term, can be delinked from the overarching 
environment for individual entrepreneurs, going back to the core issue of ensuring a perm issible 
business climate. As regards services, China's services sector today accounts for less than 50% of 
GDP and less than 10% of total exports. In this sense, China is far behind its competitors in GVCs, 
even far behind many developing countries. An ove rly cautious or gradual approach to services 
trade liberalization is, therefore in my view, not very likely to do the trick. Similarly, one should 
not ignore that services trade today, just as GVCs, is heavily dependent on the free flow of data. 
China has also indicated, in its Government Report, that it promotes IT -applications and 
cross-border e -commerce. But this will ultimately have to put a limit on the Government's control 
over cross -border data flows. It is not clear to me at least how far the Chines e Government is 
willing to go in relinquishing control in this respect. Therefore, it would be interesting to hear more 
about the concrete plans that China is envisaging to ensure more comprehensive reforms and 
opening -up that foster an environment conduci ve to innovation and services.  
3.18.   Third and finally, I would like to raise the issue of the role of the Government, and SOEs, in 
the economy in light of the stated objective of China of letting the market play a predominant role 
in resource allocation. Linked  to this, of course, are China's persistent challenges today of 
overcapacity, underperforming government -linked companies and risks related to excessive credit 
expansion. On the trade side, China seems to face difficulties in providing its outstanding 
notification on subsidies. In the Secretariat Report, it is further noted that the Chinese 
Government is providing various support programs to SOEs and so -called "emerging industries"; 
industry -specific subsidies for inputs, land and technology; preferential t ax treatments; different 
forms of credits and credit insurances, including for exports; encouragement to state -owned banks 
and other financial institutions to provide loans or credits to favoured activities with subsidized 
interests, etc. The list goes on.   WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 3.19.   I am aware that China questions the accuracy of the Secretariat's description of its various 
programs. All countries will also have to make a sovereign decision on whether there may be 
specific sectors that warrant more government involvement, specifical ly for justifiable social or 
national security reasons (such as education, health, etc.).  
3.20.   At the same time, in the case of China, neither SOEs nor government support programs 
seem to be limited to a few sectors. They are permeating the entire economy. And  each and every 
one of these measures runs serious risks of affecting the allocation of resources. They also affect 
competitive conditions, between foreign companies and local companies, between large companies 
and small companies as well as between state -linked and private companies (foreign or local). It is 
equally striking that the Chinese competition law explicitly provides immunity for SOEs that are 
breaking the competition law if those SOEs are considered vital to the Chinese economy. To my 
mind, this  is not only a matter for the functioning of the Chinese economy and market -place. 
Given China's size and importance, the interference of the Government in the economy may very 
well also affect the allocation of resources and competitive conditions of comp anies in markets 
outside China – thereby, casting a shadow over China's quest for open and fair trade. As such, I 
encourage China to make use of this review, and other relevant bodies of this WTO, to bring 
complete clarity on the existence, functioning and  effects of these measures.  
3.21.   In conclusion, China has come a long way in its 35 years of comprehensive reforms and 
opening -up, including during the period under review. But it still seems to have a long way to go if 
it to fulfil the objective of the ambiti ous reform plans set out at the Third Plenary Session. This 
being said, the objectives – as well as the measures of reforms and opening -up identified to 
achieve them – are commendable. To my own mind, the advertised reforms and opening -up of 
China's econom ic system will be necessary to avoid getting stuck in the infamous middle -income 
trap. This is in everyone's interest. I hope therefore that China will welcome support from this 
institution and its Members to stay on the course it has chartered for itself.   WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBER S 
PAKISTAN  
4.1.  During the review period, China's trajectory of high growth experienced a downward trend at 
7.7% annually. This has happened amidst a post -GFC adjustment and a structural shift to enhance 
domestic consumption that is predi cated on rising incomes, fiscal expansion, and expanding credit 
availability.  
4.2.  China is the world's largest trader. It has undertaken reforms in the area of trade in goods, 
including the introduction of paperless customs clearance procedures, reform of the investment 
regime, faster implementation of FTAs, opening -up of border areas, and the development of the 
Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone.  
4.3.  It is also a large recipient of FDI. It has taken measures to simplify rules and easing 
restrictions on the use of capi tal to attract FDI. China has concluded 12 FTAs with over 20 States 
and regions, including Pakistan, and is currently negotiating several more FTAs.  
4.4.  China is an important player in the WTO. It engages constructively in multilateral 
negotiations, and is mak ing sustained efforts for fostering development objectives through the 
DDA. It is also contributing actively in developing a balanced post -Bali work programme. Pakistan 
highly appreciates China for sustained development of its economy and people, continuin g the 
process of opening up the economy and its efforts to facilitate trade and investment, enhance 
competition and further decreasing State involvement in the economy, and measures to accelerate 
development of its services sector.  
4.5.  Economic restructuring i s the key feature of the overall reform effort. The Third Plenum of 
the 18th CPC National Congress worked out a detailed roadmap and a time -frame for the 
implementation of the reforms, under which 330 major reform measures covering 15 areas have 
been set. To narrow the investment -consumption imbalance, the Chinese Government has 
continued to promote consumption expansion through specific programmes, including direct 
consumption stimulus programmes nationwide. The policy of accelerating consumption has seen 
expenditure outpacing revenue.  
4.6.  During the review period, the levels of both savings and investment remained high at 50% 
and 47% of GDP, respectively. Consumer prices remained stable, alongside an increase in incomes 
and employment generation.  
4.7.  The National Leading Group for Comprehensive Deepening Reform has been tasked with 
charting a roadmap for allowing the market to play a greater role in allocating resources, 
reforming SOEs and encouraging private ownership. Private enterprises are now emerging as the 
main source of employment and have contributed to rising salaries and income, and improved 
living standards.  
4.8.  China's net trade surplus declined from 3.1% in 2010 to 2.8% of GDP in 2013. In 2013, 
manufactured products continue to dominate China's exports, ac counting for 94% of the total. 
China's trade in services has grown since the Twelfth Five Year Plan. However, compared with 
goods, services trade is growing slower, posting services trade deficits at US$89.7 billion and 
US$118.46 billion, respectively, dur ing the period.  
4.9.  China's industry is experiencing problems like considerable excess capacity in some 
industries, wage rises and difficulties faced by SMEs in business operations. However, its 
fast-speed infrastructure, further productivity growth, allied to  a continued supply of new urban 
workers and the depth of its industrial capacity, all point at keeping China competitive. China could 
benefit from further reducing the investment -consumption imbalance as well as State involvement 
in the economy as the pub lic sector accounts for some two -thirds of total exports and controls 
some 40% of fixed -asset investment.  
4.10.   Pakistan -China trade and economic relations have been significantly bolstered by our FTA, 
and mutual trade is increasing at a steady pace. We see cons iderable potential in closer bilateral WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 cooperation, to further cement trade and investment linkages between our two business 
communities.  
ARGENTINA  
4.11.   China se ha convertido, como creo que está pasando o ha pasado con la mayoría de los 
Miembros de esta casa, en uno de los principales socios comerciales de la Argentina. De 
representar el 4,7% de nuestro comercio global en 2001, año de su ingreso a la OMC, pasó a 
representar el 11,4% en 2013 y ese comercio bilateral continúa en constante aumento, conforme 
lo dem uestran las estadísticas de 2013, habiéndose incrementado en casi un 13% el año último 
respecto a 2012. Eso, sumado a la cooperación creciente de nuestros dos países en diversos 
ámbitos y sectores, demuestra la notoria relevancia que en el presente siglo h a ido adquiriendo 
nuestra relación con China. Y en ello ha tenido mucho que ver la mayor integración de ese país en 
el sistema multilateral de comercio a partir de su ingreso a la OMC.  
4.12.   El ingreso de China a la OMC en 2001 ha sido un muy importante aporte d e un país en 
desarrollo al multilateralismo comercial. La creciente significación del intercambio de China con el 
mundo y las perspectivas de su desarrollo futuro, y las condiciones acordadas en su adhesión a la 
OMC merecen ser destacados:  
 China aceptó no dar subvenciones agrícolas de caja ámbar;  
 Su nivel de subvenciones de minimis  es menor que el de los demás países en 
desarrollo, del 8,5% en vez del 10%; y  
 En acceso a mercado, el arancel máximo en su lista de concesiones es más bajo en 
comparación con otr os países, y sin instrumentos altamente distorsionantes como lo 
es salvaguardia especial del artículo 5 del Acuerdo sobre Agricultura.  
4.13.   No todos los Miembros de la OMC pueden exhibir aportes al multilateralismo comercial como 
los de China. Otros Miembros aú n preservan en sus listas espacios de política para introducir 
distorsiones mayores en el comercio de productos agropecuarios, que esperamos reducir y 
eliminar en la Ronda de Doha.  
4.14.   En esta área de las negociaciones comerciales multilaterales, desde su ingr eso a la OMC, 
China también ha sido un gran socio, habiéndose manifestado ello en su espíritu de colaboración 
en las propuestas de negociación del G -20 de Ginebra.  
4.15.   Tanto China como la Argentina han participado activamente en todas las etapas de las 
negocia ciones de la Ronda de Doha, animadas por el objetivo común de fortalecer el sistema 
comercial multilateral, profundizando el proceso de reforma de la agricultura iniciado en la Ronda 
Uruguay y promoviendo un resultado beneficioso para los países en desarro llo. 
4.16.   Por eso, quisiera aprovechar la oportunidad para agradecer a China sus contribuciones y 
permanente apoyo y compromiso en procura de una pronta conclusión del Programa de Doha para 
el Desarrollo.  
4.17.   Finalizando, y al tiempo de reiterar nuestro reconocimie nto por esta nueva oportunidad de 
intercambiar elementos de juicio y consideraciones sobre las políticas comerciales de China, 
permítanos señalar una vez más la relevancia de este ejercicio de transparencia en todos sus 
aspectos y desear éxito a las autori dades chinas en este quinto Examen de su política comercial.  
HONG  KONG,  CHINA  
4.18.   First of all, a couple of general comments. We are pleased to see that China continues to 
deepen its market -oriented reforms, which include opening up the services sector and cre ating a 
fair and competitive business environment. The establishment of the China (Shangai) Pilot Free 
Trade Zone (CSPFTZ), in particular, is a significant step for China to further open her economy and 
liberalize trade in services.  
4.19.   We are also encouraged by China's policy of expanding domestic demand which serves as 
the major driving force for China's economic growth and creates a huge market for her trading 
partners.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.20.   Hong Kong, China has been maintaining a close economic and trade relationship with China.  
China has been our largest trading partner for decades, while we were China's second largest 
trading partner in 2013. We are also each other's largest source of external direct investment. The 
signing of "The Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partner ship Arrangement (CEPA)" and 
its various supplements since 2003 has further enhanced our trade relations.  
4.21.   Let me now go to specific areas of trade.  
4.22.   On investment, we are pleased to see China moving in the direction of liberalization and 
simplification of p rocedures. It seeks to attract further foreign direct investment (FDI) through a 
number of incentive schemes and more liberal rules applied to the CSPFTZ. The increasing 
openness will enable China to maintain its status as one of the largest recipients of FDI. 
4.23.   We commend China's effort in enhancing trade facilitation measures during the review 
period. For instance, China started implementing the "Reform of Paperless Customs Clearance" in 
2012 which helped enhance efficiency and reduce transaction cost. Chin a has also undertaken to 
implement the Agreement on Trade Facilitation in accordance with the timetable set out in the Bali 
Declaration. We see this as a very positive signal for other emerging or developing countries.  
4.24.   On tariff, we appreciate that China h as already bound all its tariff lines, of which 99.5% are 
ad valorem . This provides a high degree of certainty to businesses. We note a slight decline in the 
average applied rate of agricultural products from 15.1% in 2011 to 14.8% in 2013; and a 
decrease in the percentage of tariff lines that exceeded international tariff peaks from 14.8% in 
2011 to 14.4% in 2013. We encourage China to continue its efforts in bringing down its tariffs.  
4.25.   China has maintained a number of incentive programmes for various reaso ns, such as to 
promote development in remote areas. We note that some additional incentives seem to be 
granted at the provincial level, but the central government authorities are not in a position to 
confirm the existence of these programmes. Besides, ther e seems to be other programmes or 
measures to support different industries, but the relevant information may not always be available 
to the WTO Secretariat. As a result, WTO Members have difficulty identifying the specific measures 
and ascertaining the ext ent of support. We would encourage China to take extra steps to ensure 
that the central government is kept informed of the latest position of all the incentive and support 
programmes, and to provide timely notifications to the WTO.  
4.26.   Regarding state -trading enterprises, we welcome China's trade policy objective set out in 
the "Decision on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms", which, among 
other things, calls for the reform of state -owned enterprises and sets new rules and targets to 
encourage private ownership. As state participation in China remains relatively high, we encourage 
China to take further steps to ensure a level -playing field for all enterprises.  
4.27.   For its accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), China has m ade 
considerable efforts to address GPA Parties' requests and concerns, and has improved its offer 
progressively. Notably, China has added more sub -central government entities to its latest offer. 
We look forward to receiving China's further revised offer later this year and hope China can join 
the GPA soon.  
4.28.   Despite China's development into an industrialized country, agriculture continues to play a 
key role in the economy and employment. We note that there have been no major changes to 
China's agricultural policies. While we understand the sensitivities of the agricultural sector in 
relation to food security in China, we believe that a more liberal and simplified trading regime 
would be beneficial to consumers and traders alike. We encourage China to conside r the need for 
further reforms.  
4.29.   On intellectual property rights, we are happy to see improvements to the protection and 
regulatory regimes for patent and trademark. We note in particular that application procedures 
have been streamlined; penalties for infr ingements increased; and examinations will be 
fast-tracked. We hope China will continue to improve its laws and step up enforcement to keep up 
with the developments in innovation and technology.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.30.   As regards services, we appreciate China's efforts in taking forward a number of regulatory 
reforms in sectors such as telecommunication services, financial services, education services, 
maritime transport, air transport and rail transport, as well as movements of natural persons. As 
mentioned earlier, we welcome th e establishment of CSPFTZ which further liberalizes trade in 
services. We encourage China to continue its good efforts in this regard.  
4.31.   In January 2014, 14 WTO Members, including China and Hong Kong, China, announced an 
initiative to negotiate a plurilatera l agreement for the liberalization of trade in environmental 
goods. We look forward to working closely with China and other Members to advance this 
initiative, with the aim of contributing to a multilateral outcome on trade liberalization in 
environmental goods.  
4.32.   Finally, I would like to commend the contributions made by Ambassador Yu Jianhua to the 
work of the WTO here, and I wish China a very fruitful Trade Policy Review.  
NEW  ZEALAND  
4.33.   The Reports from the Government of China and the Secretariat provide an excellent 
overview of China’s trade policy.  
4.34.   They highlight China’s stable economic growth driven by strong domestic demand, with real 
GDP expanding by 7.7% annually in both 2012 and 2013. The role the growth of the Chinese 
economy played in bringing the wo rld back from global financial crisis cannot be understated, and 
it was appreciated in New Zealand where exports to China continued to grow throughout the 
period.  
4.35.   Trade between our New Zealand and China is flourishing. Since the New Zealand -China Free 
Trade Agreement came into force in 2008, New Zealand exports to China have more than 
quadrupled. Imports from China have also increased significantly, overtaking Australia in 2011 as 
our largest source of imports. In addition to lower tariffs, the FTA provide s us with the institutional 
structure and enhanced relationships to support broader development of the economic 
relationship.  
4.36.   Two-way trade has this month reached $20 billion annually, a year earlier than expected. 
The continuing growth puts us on track to  reach our the new goal, agreed by President Xi and 
Prime Minister Key in March this year, of two -way trade of $30 billion by 2020 (two -way trade 
grew 25% in 2013 alone).   
4.37.   As China looks to implement the significant economic reforms announced at the Third  Party 
Plenum, New Zealand will continue to search for new ways to enhance cooperation with China in a 
number of sectors including education, architecture, medical care, logistics, accounting and 
e-commerce. We also remain firmly dedicated to improving agr icultural and food safety 
cooperation, as demonstrated by the recent announcement during Prime Minister Key’s visit to 
China of new food safety scholarships and enhanced agricultural cooperation.  
4.38.   As stated in the reports, during the period under review, Ch inese merchandise exports and 
imports have expanded rapidly, making China the world’s largest trader. It is therefore crucially 
important that China continues to pursue trade liberalization and economic reform despite 
challenges that may arise. There are a  number of areas, as outlined in our questions, where we 
think improvements could be achieved.  
4.39.   New Zealand is concerned about the support programmes and subsidies which China applies 
in the fisheries sector and their contribution to over capacity and over fishing. We encourage China 
to review these programmes so that support can be redirected away from capacity enhancement.  
4.40.   China has made positive efforts to facilitate trade, and we note in particular the introduction 
of paperless clearance procedures. Howe ver, as stated in the report, China’s customs procedures 
across the country still require harmonisation, and we encourage China to pursue reforms in this 
area. Timely implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement will provide an opportunity for 
China to make significant progress in this area – benefiting Chinese businesses and consumers as WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 well as global exporters and, in this regard, we welcome China’s recent notification of its Category 
A commitments.  
4.41.   New Zealand commends China for the important lea dership role it has played within the 
WTO since its accession in 2001. As the world’s largest trader, China bears great responsibility for 
supporting a predictable and transparent global trading system. We acknowledge the important 
contribution China made to the successful conclusion of the Trade Facilitation Agreement at Bali. 
In doing so, we urge China to continue to take forward its leadership role as we deepen 
discussions regarding the post -Bali work programme.   
4.42.   New Zealand is a strong supporter of tra nsparency mechanisms such as Trade Policy 
Reviews and notification processes as they provide an essential role in allowing Members to 
understand and review policies and practices of other WTO Members. In this context, we 
encourage China to ensure effective  use of transparency mechanisms within the WTO including 
through continuing its efforts to ensure its notification obligations are fulfilled in a timely way.  
ICELAND   
4.43.   The remarkable rise of China's economy over the past decades, its insights and integratio n 
on the global economy had major implications for larger or small countries alike. The Trade Policy 
Review of China therefore deserves a special attention as it gives us, the WTO Members, an 
importation platform for reflexion and frank exchange of views o n China's trade policies.  
4.44.   International trade as played a key role in China's remarkable economic growth. China's 
asset is one of the best examples of how the opportunities that the role -based multilateral trading 
system provides to all WTO Members can be a catalyst for economic growth and development.  
4.45.   But if all the Members are to be able to take advantage of the same opportunities that China 
has successfully done, it is vital that China provides a stable and transparent regulatory 
environment for foreign economic operators. Procedures such as registration and licensing 
requirements should in itself not be a barrier to trade.  
4.46.   Iceland encourages China to ensure that transparency and non -discrimination is provided in 
its legal and institutional framework. Th is was indeed an issue prominent in Members interventions 
in the last TPR of China in 2012.  
4.47.   Today, 1 July 2014, marks a milestone in the excellent relations between Iceland and China 
as the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries enters into force. Iceland's export figures 
reveal a general trend of increased exports to China although fluctuation occurs from one year to 
the other. Furthermore, the value of imports of Chinese products continues to rise. China is now 
Iceland's fourth biggest importing c ountry and the biggest trading partner in Asia. The FTA 
represents a reaffirmation of the excellent relations between Iceland and China and it will be a 
central player in the growing trade relations between Iceland and China.  
SWITZERLAND  
4.48.   With a trade volum e of over 20 billion Swiss Francs, China is Switzerland's third most 
important trading partner. During the last decade, the breadth and depth of cooperation between 
Switzerland and China has developed to a point where I can only say that our bilateral econ omic 
relations are excellent.  
4.49.   In fact, as Minister WANG announced, on this very day, the comprehensive Free Trade 
Agreement between China and Switzerland enters into force. Our two countries have built up trust 
and mutual understanding so as to permit the  conclusion of a preferential trade agreement 
liberalizing trade and enhancing legal security for our economic operators.  
4.50.   Regarding the Trade Policy Review at hand, the questions Switzerland has submitted to 
China deal mainly with issues of transparency a nd assuring a level playing field for foreign 
economic operators and investors. We, in particular, raised a question on the so -called "Catalogue 
for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries": while a company may be pleased if 
investments in a certain sector are upgraded from "restricted" to "permitted" or even WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 "encouraged", a downgrading from "permitted" to "prohibited" may render investments non -
performing and will ultimately cost jobs in China.  
4.51.   Furthermore, as the Secretariat rightly points out in d ifferent Chapters of its report, 
state-owned enterprises and state trading enterprises still have a significant and in certain areas a 
dominant position. In this regard, Switzerland is interested to know which state -owned enterprises 
enjoy immunity under C hina's competition law.  
4.52.   Another issue we addressed concerned the unchanged Chinese "consumption tax" levied - 
among other things - on so -called "luxury watches", a category which includes almost only Swiss 
products. Switzerland is particularly interested i n possible plans to reduce this excise tax.  
4.53.   Before I conclude, I would like to draw from the experience of this Organization, especially 
during the past two years in the run -up to Bali: I believe one cannot overestimate the importance 
of the role China has  played during this process. In this context, Switzerland commends China, as 
others, for having submitted its Trade Facilitation Category A notifications in a very timely manner. 
Switzerland would like to encourage China to continue its efforts to live up to its responsibility as a 
major global economic and trade power in the WTO, in DDA and hopefully soon in the GPA.  
4.54.   Developments around the world highlight the importance of a strong rules -based 
multilateral system, as provided by the WTO, not only for a m idsized but internationally highly 
integrated open -trade economy like Switzerland, but also for the trade world champion China. In 
this spirit, I call not only on China but upon all Members to increase their efforts in favour of a 
strong multilateral tradi ng system.  
SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
4.55.   Since its last review, China has enjoyed comparatively stable economic growth at an 
outstanding annual rate, which is very impressive considering the complex and volatile external 
environment it has had to face, as well as the challenging new developments emerging in China's 
domestic economy. What's more, China has become the largest trader of merchandise in the world 
(if you exclude intra -EU trade). The main driving force behind all this has been China's 
implementation of a full programme of deeper -than-ever domestic reforms. By making the 
necessary adjustments to the economic structure and transforming the pattern of development, 
substantial progress has been made in many key areas o f the economy, such as expanding 
domestic demand, accelerating development in the services sector, upgrading industries and 
increasing urban employment.  
4.56.   It is quite clear, however, that China's economy is undergoing one of the greatest 
transformations in i ts history – focusing on both growth and reform. The overarching challenge 
now is to end the old ways of seeking growth and bring in the new.  
4.57.   In our written questions submitted in advance, we are seeking further clarification of certain 
aspects of China's policy direction and approach. We are grateful to China for its responses, which 
we shall be reviewing carefully as soon as possible.  
4.58.   I will just mention a few issues in which we have a particular interest or concern. Firstly, we 
welcome the decision by Ch ina to construct a united and open market system with orderly 
competition. We ask if China could please elaborate further on its concrete plans, timeframes, and 
the possible reallocation of resources in this respect.  
4.59.   Secondly, on the subject of the China ( Shangai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (CSPFTZ), we ask 
whether, and if so, how China plans to expand and replicate its experiences into other areas in the 
near future? Thirdly, customs procedures across the whole area are in need of still more 
harmonization. Four thly, we are concerned as to whether mandatory sectoral and local standards 
are being notified to the WTO. And, last but not least, we have noticed that China's financial 
support measures at the sectoral, regional and enterprise levels are not always clear ly enough 
explained. In this respect, we would encourage China to ensure the transparency of such 
measures, and their conformity with WTO rules.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.60.   As to the future, we would urge the Chinese Government to accelerate the ongoing deep 
and comprehensive reforms  of its economic systems, and we look forward to seeing the results at 
China's next Trade Policy Review. We would also like to see China strongly re -affirm its adherence 
to the multilateral trading system and thus give a boost to the DDA negotiations.  
4.61.   Finally, if I may touch briefly on our bilateral trade and investment relationship. We enjoy 
very close and long -standing economic ties with China. Currently it is our largest trading partner 
and the primary destination for our overseas investment. Indeed, it is evident that our trade and 
investment has been influential in China's overall economic development, increasing steadily, and 
becoming more diversified and sophisticated over recent years. We would definitely like to see 
China continue to pursue a yet mo re transparent and open -door trade regime in the future.  
CHILE  
4.62.   Mi país otorga gran importancia a su relación bilateral con China. En 1970, Chile fue el 
primer país de América del Sur en entablar relaciones diplomáticas con Chine, por lo tanto el 
próximo añ o, nuestros países celebrarán 45 años de relaciones diplomáticas.  
4.63.   Desde el último Examen de China en 2012, ambos países han elevado el estatus de 
relaciones a una Asociación Estratégica, ratificando la confianza política mutua y la diversa 
cooperación en m últiples sectores. Asimismo, a principios del presente año, nuestros países dieron 
la bienvenida a la entrada en vigencia del Acuerdo Suplementario sobre Inversiones, la tercera y 
última parte del Tratado de Libre Comercio entre ambos países.  
4.64.   En el plano d el intercambio comercial, China se ha transformado en el primer socio 
comercial de Chile y el primer destino de nuestras exportaciones desde la entrada en vigencia del 
Tratado de Libre Comercio entre ambos países en el año 2006, las exportaciones e importa ciones 
han crecido a una tasa promedio anual de un 23% y 22% respectivamente. A diciembre de 2013, 
el intercambio comercial superó los 34.700 millones de dólares EE.UU. Asimismo, desde hace 
algunos años, ambos países han estado trabajando en distintos sect ores con el objetivo de 
potenciar la inversión recíproca, la facilitación de comercio, la transparencia y la disminución de 
barreras no arancelarias.  
4.65.   En el ámbito multilateral, ambos países han intensificado las comunicaciones, compartiendo 
visiones y opin iones comunes, en las diversas organizaciones y foros internacionales, tales como la 
Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU), la Organización Mundial del Comercio (OMC), el Foro de 
Cooperación Económica Asia -Pacífico (APEC) del cual este año China es anfitri ón y el Foro de 
Cooperación América Latina -Asia del Este (FOCALAE).  
4.66.   China es Miembro de la OMC desde hace más de 12 años y en ese período se ha convertido 
en un actor clave de la Organización que jugó un papel importante en la Novena Conferencia 
Ministeria l de la OMC, demostrando su compromiso con el sistema multilateral de comercio. Esto 
también se vio reflejado en la reciente reunión de Ministros de Comercio de APEC donde se realizó 
declaración en apoyo de la OMC, a la agenda post Bali y a la Ronda de Doh a. 
4.67.   En el período del presente Examen, se observa que la economía china creció en forma 
estable y con previsiones de mantener ese crecimiento el 2014. China se ha convertido en la 
mayor entidad comercial del mundo (excluido el comercio entre los países de l a UE), 
experimentando un rápido crecimiento de sus exportaciones e importaciones, y sigue siendo un 
importante receptor de inversión extranjera directa. Asimismo, se observa que China ha llevado a 
cabo importantes medidas para avanzar y profundizar en la r eforma económica, comercial y de 
inversiones. A modo de ejemplo, se destaca que en el área de comercio de mercancías, China ha 
continuado con sus iniciativas de facilitación de comercio, sus esfuerzos en combatir prácticas 
monopólicas, y ha avanzado en med idas por mejorar la transparencia.  
4.68.   Chile es consciente del desafío que supone mantener un crecimiento regular y sólido frente 
a las constantes y cada vez más fuerte presiones inflacionistas y el entorno exterior desfavorable. 
En este sentido, celebramos qu e China siga aplicando una política fiscal dinámica y responsable 
como también una gran política monetaria prudente para evitar fluctuaciones económicas a gran 
escala.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.69.   Según sabemos, el pueblo chino tiene una tradición de celebrar los aniversarios 
quinquen ales y decenales, ya que cada cinco o diez años es un intervalo de tiempo importante que 
invita a realizar una reflexión y evaluación con responsabilidad y compromiso. Esta evaluación 
debe tener en cuenta el futuro de manera de seguir avanzando en la senda  del Sistema 
Multilateral de Comercio por el beneficio de nuestros pueblos. Por lo anterior, y puesto que este es 
su quinto Examen de política comercial, les deseamos mucho éxito.  
JAPAN  
4.70.   After the last review two years ago, China became the largest in terms  of the global trade in 
2013. China's enormous economic progress is due to the courage of its leaders and people to 
undertake bold reforms as well as to the benefits she obtained from the open and multilateral 
trading system.  
4.71.   Last November’s Third Plenum r eform blueprint marked the start of a new chapter in China’s 
development. The blueprint is an ambitious and comprehensive agenda. The challenge is to 
translate that into specific policies and measures including establishing a level playing field 
between pr ivate and state -owned enterprises and implement them.  
4.72.   From this point of view, let me move to some specific comments.  
4.73.   Primo, regarding Chinese role in the WTO, we have five points here.  
4.74.   First, implementation of the Bali Package. Japan welcomes China’s Cate gory A notification of 
the TF Agreement submitted yesterday. Japan hopes that all provisions that have been 
implemented and as many provisions as possible are included. For the post -Bali work programme, 
Japan strongly expects a greater Chinese contribution  reflecting the drastic change in the world 
economic scene today.  
4.75.   Second, the ITA. Given that certain tariff lines of China have been left unimplemented with 
respect to the current ITA, Japan requests its full implementation. For the ITA expansion 
negotiat ions, based on the APEC ministers’ statement in Qingdao, Japan hopes Chinese leadership 
and flexibility for its very early conclusion.  
4.76.   Third, on environmental goods. Japan welcomes that China participated in the 
announcement at Davos regarding plurilateral  environmental goods liberalization negotiations. 
Japan expects that China will play a constructive role based on the agreed announcement.  
4.77.   Fourth, the GPA. Wishing China’s early accession, Japan requests that China submit a 
revised offer well in advance of  the GPA meeting in December, including a much wider coverage of 
SOEs. In addition, Japan requests prompt improvement of China’s domestic legislation, for 
example, the Government Procurement Act, with a view to making them consistent with the 
revised GPA.  
4.78.   Last but not least, implementation of the WTO agreements. We have three points. First, 
Japan is deeply concerned about various export restricting measures other than those under the 
dispute settlement process. Second, Japan requests that China observe its notification obligations 
including those on subsidies. Third, regarding the several anti -dumping measures which were 
decided by the DSB to be inconsistent with the WTO agreement, Japan requests that China 
properly comply with the decisions.  
4.79.   Second, let me turn to the investment and business environment. We have three points 
here. First, sudden change of legislation and administrative procedures without sufficient advance 
notice and explanation. For improving the investment and business environment, Japan re quests 
that China redouble her efforts to increase transparency and predictability in these fronts.  
4.80.   Second, IPRs. Japan takes note of China’s recent improvement of IPR regime to bring it in 
line with TRIPS Agreement. Having said that, Japan requests China further develop a reasonable 
and rational framework in according relevant IPRs in a manner which avoid the abuse caused by 
insufficient examination systems. Concerning the protection and implementation of IPRs, Japan WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 requests China to strengthen the contro l of counterfeit and piracy for their eradication including at 
the local government level.  
4.81.   Third, services. As stressed by the IMF Executive Board last July on the occasion of Article 4 
consultation, opening markets to domestic and foreign competition in t his sector is crucial. I fully 
share the statement of Christine Lagarde this March that the next round of China’s reforms must 
be aimed at increasing the role of the modern service sector. For Japan, we have special interests 
in the distribution, telecommu nication and financial services sectors.  
4.82.   To conclude my remarks, as David Lipton of the IMF stated recently, China has had three 
decades of remarkable economic progress, reflecting an ability to push forward with reforms. 
Pressing ahead with those reforms is now key. Japan hopes for China's further contribution to the 
WTO for maintaining and strengthening the MTS and for the global economy  
SINGAPORE  
4.83.   We associate ourselves fully with the ASEAN statement to be delivered later today.  
4.84.   Singapore and China enjoy long-standing bilateral economic ties, underpinned by strong 
trade and investment linkages. Last year, our bilateral trade increased 11% year -on-year to 
US$92 billion, making China our largest trading partner. In terms of investments, China has been 
our to p investment destination since 1997. In 2013 alone, Singapore was the second largest 
source of FDI into China, increasing by 15.6% year -on-year to US$7.3 billion in over 700 projects. 
Cumulative investments amount to US$66.5 billion in more than 20,000 pro jects. These 
investments are also becoming more diversified in terms of geography, beyond the traditional 
coastal regions and sectors, in tandem with China’s development. Likewise, as Chinese companies 
“go global”, we have seen their numbers in Singapore g row, increasing nearly seven -fold from 766 
in 2000 to over 5,200 as of last year.  
4.85.   The China -Singapore FTA is another cornerstone of our economic relations. It has been 
instrumental in bolstering our trade flows and supporting our business communities. The  built-in 
review process demonstrates our shared commitment to continually improve the quality of our 
bilateral FTA and adapt to changing business needs, so that companies can benefit from greater 
market access and reduced business costs.  
4.86.   As the world’s l argest trader, China is a very important trade and investment partner for all 
WTO Members. In its Government Report, China has frankly acknowledged that without 
transformation and upgrading, it would not be able to achieve sustained economic growth. The 
report focuses on the reforms and improvements that China has made and continues to undertake. 
This is a very clear and positive signal to all of us as trading partners about their firm commitment 
to improve its trade and investment policy regimes, amidst th e challenges that come with its 
sizable land mass and population. We commend China for the holistic reforms that we have heard, 
including streamlining of the administration, improvements to business registration as well as 
reforms in the fiscal and taxatio n systems. It is also commendable that China’s efforts in reform 
and liberalization are complemented by policies which also meet social objectives, by targeting 
improvements in rural areas and the needs of small -, medium - and micro -enterprises.  
4.87.   As China em barks on its next phase of growth with greater emphasis on market forces, 
many of us, including Singapore, welcome the opportunity to participate meaningfully in China’s 
development. We are therefore greatly encouraged by the measures taken by China since its last 
TPR to accelerate the development of its services sector, particularly through the liberalization in 
the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone. We are optimistic of its success and look forward to the 
expansion of this model in other provinces. Indeed, C hina has also taken steps to gradually 
liberalize the provision of certain services, such as telecommunications and financial services, 
outside of the Free Trade Zone. We also welcome the various measures to simplify rules and ease 
restrictions on use of c apital for direct investments.   
4.88.   Given its major role in the international trade, it is all the more important that China 
continues its pursuit of progressive policies, for instance in its TBT and SPS regulations and import 
licensing regime, and to make fu rther improvements in competition policies. Transparency and 
provision of information are extremely important for predictability to businesses, and would help WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 contribute towards China’s goal of attracting more FDI. We encourage China to ensure that its 
notifications to the WTO are submitted in timely manner. We congratulate China on the notification 
of its Category A commitments under the recently concluded Trade Facilitation Agreement and we 
hope that China will continue to undertake greater efforts to har monise its customs procedures. 
We note the recent rise in initiation of anti -dumping investigations by China and hope that China 
will ensure that these are conducted in accordance with WTO rules.   
4.89.   Reforms cannot take place overnight and the results and be nefits may also take a while 
before they can be realized. We are now witnessing the results of what China has put in place over 
a consistent period of time. Singapore is certain that with China’s strong commitment which 
Assistant Minister Wang has reaffirm ed today, we will continue to see positive changes and more 
good news, including the day when China joins us as one of the Parties to the Government 
Procurement Agreement.  
4.90.   Our delegation has always enjoyed excellent working relations and good cooperation w ith 
Ambassador Yu’s very capable team in Geneva. We look forward to continuing this, in our common 
goal of upholding the multilateral trading system.  
MÉXICO  
4.91.   A pesar de la lenta y frágil recuperación de la economía global de los últimos años, China ha 
mantenido una sorprendente y constante tasa de crecimiento económico del 8,6% que le ha 
permitido coadyuvar en sus esfuerzos por hacer frente a la disparidad de ingresos, así como la 
lucha contra pobreza. El crecimiento ha sido más inclusivo, gracias a ambicio sas políticas públicas, 
como la extensión de la cobertura de salud y sistemas de pensiones, y la ayuda de subsistencia 
mínima para la población rural.  
4.92.   Si bien tanto en el área rural como urbana, el ingreso de los deciles más bajos crecieron 
más rápido que  los de los más altos y el número de personas viviendo en absoluta pobreza 
disminuyó de 99 millones en 2012 a 82.5 millones en 2013. Es de destacar que el coeficiente de 
Gini permanece alto a 0.47, nivel por arriba del 0.45 del promedio ponderado de los pa íses con los 
ingresos más bajos per cápita y mayores niveles de desigualdad de la OCDE.   
4.93.   Si bien el rol de la demanda interna en el crecimiento económico ha aumentado, la 
diferencia entre ahorro e inversión ha disminuido, se requiere continuar las polític as encaminadas 
al fortalecimiento del consumo, a fin de lograr un “reequilibramiento del crecimiento económico, 
alejándolo de la inversión y orientándolo hacia el consumo”, como lo señala el FMI en sus 
Perspectivas de la Economía Mundial de abril pasado.  
Apertura comercial y de inversiones  
4.94.   China se ha convertido en principal exportador e importador a nivel mundial, con 
crecimiento cercano al 40% en los últimos tres años. China es el mayor receptor de IED y el tercer 
más grande inversionista en el mundo.  
4.95.   El desempeño comercial y de inversiones de China podría ser incluso mejor si corrige 
algunas de sus medidas, entre otras:  
 Reducción de las grandes barreras al comercio, como las restricciones a la exportación 
 utilizadas bajo el poco convincente argumento de “gestión de las actividades de 
 exportación”, y los impuestos a las exportaciones que pueden ir desde el 5% hasta el 75%.  
 Continuar los esfuerzos dirigidos a facilitar el comercio, principalmente en áreas de 
 publicación de información, simplificación y a rmonización de documentos, automatización y 
 racionalización de procedimientos aduaneros. Damos la bienvenida a la notificación de 
 medidas de categoría A presentada por China en el marco del Acuerdo de Facilitación del 
 Comercio.  
 Reducir algunas restricc iones a la inversión extranjera en servicios fundamentales tales 
 como telecomunicaciones, transportes, mensajería, medios, bancos, seguros y fondos.   WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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  Nos llama la atención que los inversionistas deban mostrar beneficios netos económicos para 
 el establec imiento de presencia comercial. Como resultado, los índices de restricción al 
 comercio de servicios y a la IED muestran que China se encuentre entre el 25% de los 
 países más restrictivos en el mundo. En prácticamente todos los sectores analizados, China 
 se encuentra con el índice de restrictividad de servicios más elevado entre los 40 países 
 incluidos en el análisis de la OCDE.  
 Eliminar políticas con tintes de subsidios, como la exención de derechos de aduana y cobro 
 del IVA a importaciones de bienes de capital de proyectos de categoría “alentados” descritos 
 en la Guía para las Industrias de IED.  
 Reducción de la participación del Gobierno en la economía, el 40% de la inversión en activos 
 fijos y dos terceras partes de las exportaciones son por cuenta  del estado.   
 Incorporar al alcance de la regulación para promover la competencia a todas las empresas 
 estatales. Esto es, permitir a las fuerzas del mercado tener un mayor papel en varios 
 sectores de la economía.  
 Dada una continua migración del campo a las zonas rurales, el número de personas 
 dedicadas a la agricultura está disminuyendo al mismo tiempo que la que permanece en el 
 campo está envejeciendo rápidamente. Por ello, es necesario lograr una mayor 
 mecanización en el sector agrícola para incre mentar la productividad de la mano de obra de 
 los pequeños agricultores.  
 China debe remplazar gradualmente los subsidios a los insumos agrícolas por pagos directos 
 a una tasa fija por unidad de tierra, sin que en ellos se establezcan requisitos de compra  o 
 de producción.   
 Mejorar el ambiente de negocios de tal forma que las empresas puedan generar crecimiento 
 sostenido de la productividad. De acuerdo al Doing Business 2014 del Banco Mundial, China 
 ocupa el lugar 99 entre las mejores economías para hac er negocios y el lugar 158 en el 
 rubro “Apertura de un negocio”.  
 Encomiamos los esfuerzos de China por ampliar y abrir los sectores de servicios, reformar el 
 mecanismo de gestión de las inversiones, avanzar en la transformación del comercio y 
 profundiza r en la apertura de los servicios financieros a menos en la Zona Franca 
 Experimental de Shanghái.  
 Sin embargo, existe una lista de sectores donde la aprobación es necesaria y en algunos 
 casos la inversión es restringida. Por lo tanto, su impacto podría s er limitado en la economía 
 china, pero si el Gobierno reduce el alcance de su “lista negativa” y disminuye las 
 restricciones a la propiedad de compañías, éstas zonas podrían tener un efecto positivo en la 
 economía, especialmente si se da una expansión e n el número de ellas.  
 De acuerdo con el Informe de la Secretaría, los servicios no han mostrado mayores cambios 
 desde el anterior EPC, al igual que su contribución en el PIB (46% en 2013 vs 43% en 
 2010), por lo que se deben establecer las políticas nece sarias para incrementar 
 sustancialmente dicha participación.  
4.96.   En todos estos frentes será clave la implementación de la Decisión del 18º Congreso 
Nacional del Partido Comunista de China celebrado en noviembre de 2013, la cual insta a crear un 
sistema de m ercado unificado y abierto con una competencia ordenada.  
Cierre  
4.97.   En resumen, es impresionante el nivel de desempeño económico aun y en tiempos de crisis 
económica global que China ha mostrado, pero también es necesario que emprenda una serie de 
esfuerzos q ue le permitan tomar, aun mejor, ventaja de los beneficios del comercio e inversión 
internacional.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.98.   Antes de concluir, quiero agradecer a la delegación china los trabajos que realizó para este 
Examen y su esfuerzo en responder a las preguntas que les formu lamos, cabe señalar que 
enviáremos algunas más de complemento.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.99.   China is a key player in the multilateral trading system. Often China is the most important 
trade partner for the Members gathered today, which means that China’s actions have a  direct 
impact on our economic growth and on our citizens' lives. For the EU, China is the second biggest 
trading partner, and in fact the first source of its imports.  
4.100.   China's own experience as a WTO Member could be considered the best advertisement for 
economic opening in a rules -based multilateral framework. China’s ascent to becoming the world’s 
largest trader has brought with it astonishing results in terms of growth, and development. But 
reaping benefits from the multilateral trading system brings wit h it increased responsibilities 
towards the WTO and its Members.  
4.101.   China states in its report, I quote "to have fully honoured its extensive commitments of the 
WTO accession". However, from the EU's point of view, there is still much room for improvement 
as concerns China's obligation. Let me start with transparency.  
 Transparency on Members’ policies is essential for the good functioning of the WTO and for 
 the TPR we are just participating in. In its Accession Protocol, China committed to publish in 
 a sing le official journal all laws, regulations and other measures both at central and sub 
 central level pertaining to or affecting trade in goods, services, IPR or foreign exchange 
 control. However, in several parts of its Report, the Secretariat has raised c oncerns about its 
 inability to conduct the review because China either had not published relevant trade -related 
 measures or had not made translations of them available in one or more WTO languages. 
 The fact that the Secretariat has not been able to obta in key documents is striking. The EU 
 considers that this key Accession commitment has not been fulfilled and recommends that 
 China promptly remedies this situation. It is also important that China takes all measures to 
 ensure that stakeholders are consu lted on new policy or draft legislation, in conformity with 
 China's commitments, with sufficient time for them to react.  
 Notifications are also a key element of transparency among WTO Members. The EU calls on 
 China to promptly improve its record. Worth s tressing that the Secretariat highlights 
 deficiencies in the notification of subsidies and considers the system of operation and of 
 provision of incentives for the state -owned enterprises as very unclear. Given the important 
 role the Government plays in  the Chinese economy, the need for China to comply with its 
 obligations is all the greater. Gaps are also reported in the SPS and TBT fields.  
 Consistent implementation of legislation at all levels would certainly be improved if there 
 was more transparenc y at all levels. Economic actors report a recurrent problem which 
 consists in legislation being implemented in an inconsistent or contradictory manner at the 
 local, provincial or national level. In this regard, let me take the example of the SPS area. 
 The fragmentation of the responsibilities among the several agencies that are in charge, the 
 lack of updated and transparent information on temporary bans that are applied to 
 importers without any notification and the lack of science -based evidence for ce rtain 
 measures that are imposed are all elements that constitute serious barriers to trade.  
4.102.   Regarding the business climate, the EU considers that several elements would improve the 
situation:  
 First, easier access to the judicial system is needed for fore ign operators as well as 
 enhanced independence of the judicial system. Obviously, the quality and independence of 
 the judicial system, both at central and local level, is of critical importance to all operators 
 and would also benefit Chinese businessmen .  
 Second, competition enforcement, if applied equally to all entities, would help achieve a 
 level playing field among the private and state -owned entities.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.103.   Regarding Foreign Direct Investment, market opening and the removal of the 
discriminatory barriers  that still apply to a good number of economic activities would help China to 
attract more FDI. The EU looks forward to more ambitious opening on investment and services in 
the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and generally more opening across the country.  
4.104.   FDI att raction is also contingent upon adequate protection of Intellectual Property Rights. 
This is true in particular but not solely in the field of new technologies which are important for the 
sustainable development model that China wishes to promote. In this regard, the EU commends 
the ongoing efforts carried out by China but considers that there are still significant obstacles that 
impede trade and investment, in particular the issue of forced technology transfer and inadequate 
protection of trade secrets.  
4.105.   The EU in its advanced questions has addressed all the issues I have just mentioned. Of 
course, the EU is fully aware of the real development challenges that China is facing and which are 
well described in the Government Report. The EU commends China for it s determination to carry 
out challenging reforms, and encourages China to continue its economic opening, promoting 
transparency, and sustainability of its economic development.  
4.106.   China is a genuine supporter of the multilateral trading system and the EU trus ts that 
China will positively contribute to the adoption of the post Bali work programme. In this regard, we 
welcome China's recent notification of its Category A commitments under the TFA. We also note 
that, regarding ITA, China states in its Report that "it is willing to jointly work with other parties to 
push the negotiation towards the right direction, with a view to finding a solution and reaching an 
agreement at an early date". The EU hopes that such commitment will translate soon into a 
Chinese const ructive attitude which would pave the way to a positive outcome of this important 
negotiation. The EU is ready to work with China and other partners on a strong and balanced 
result of these important multilateral and plurilateral processes.  
UNITED  STATES  
4.107.   China acceded to the WTO twelve years ago. Looking back, it is easy to see how 
dramatically trade and investment have expanded among China and its many trading partners, 
including the United States, since China joined the WTO. Indeed, China has risen to bec ome the 
WTO’s largest trader. It is clear from these results that China benefits immensely from the global 
trading system. It is equally clear that China’s emergence and growth have, in turn, had a 
tremendous impact on economies throughout the world, as we ll as on the WTO as an institution.  
4.108.   China’s rise has not always followed the path envisioned by China’s Protocol of Accession. 
During most of the past decade, China emphasized the State’s role in the economy, diverging from 
the path of economic reform that  had driven China’s accession to the WTO. With the state leading 
China’s economic development, China pursued new and more expansive industrial policies guiding 
and supporting Chinese industries, particularly ones dominated by state -owned enterprises. This 
heavy State intervention in the economy generated serious trade frictions with China’s many trade 
partners, including the United States.  
4.109.   Over the past year, however, there have been several positive signs that China’s new 
leaders are focused on re -energizi ng economic reform in China, including a top -level decision 
reached in November 2013 at the Third Plenum of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese 
Communist Party, which endorsed a number of far -reaching economic reform pronouncements – 
not the least of  which is that the market shall be “decisive” in allocating resources. While the Third 
Plenum pronouncements and other important developments over the past year have yet to 
translate into substantial changes in China’s trade and investment regimes, the Uni ted States is 
encouraged by the direction that they provide.  
4.110.   That said, as we consider the Secretariat’s Report, we are struck by the obstacles that the 
Secretariat encountered in trying to pull together the required analysis of China’s trade and 
investmen t regime. Many of these obstacles seem unique to China. China’s deep involvement in 
the economy might suggest that the Chinese Government would be in an especially favourable 
position to provide information to the Secretariat, but the Secretariat’s Report instead reflects 
systemic difficulties in securing needed information. Indeed, it has been our experience that many 
aspects of China’s trade and investment policies and practices seem to remain hidden away in WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 unpublished measures, internal instructions, or al directives and confidential documents – or for 
some other reason are simply unavailable. Similarly, the operations of China’s state -owned 
enterprises – which represent a major part of China’s economy – are largely shielded from view by 
mechanisms such a s unpublished government budgets, infrequent WTO notifications and a law 
that can treat commercial information as state secrets.  
4.111.   Compounding these challenges to fully understanding China’s trade and investment 
regimes is another challenge – China’s failur e to implement important transparency commitments 
that China made to the WTO Membership when it acceded to the WTO in 2001. For example, China 
committed to make available in one or more WTO languages all laws, regulations and other 
measures pertaining to o r affecting trade in goods, services, trade -related intellectual property 
rights or the control of foreign exchange. Yet, China still has not taken any steps to put in place 
procedures for undertaking and making available the required translations, even as  it has become 
the WTO’s largest trader. As the Secretariat’s Report demonstrates, the lack of available 
translations can create significant challenges when trying to understand and navigate China’s trade 
and investment regimes. Several times in its Report , the Secretariat states that it was not possible 
to explain a Chinese policy or to confirm a statement made by the Chinese authorities because the 
underlying documents were only available in the Chinese language. We know that the European 
Union translates  all of its official documents – not just measures relating to trade – into 
24 languages, and we know that China is not the only WTO Member to have taken on this type of 
transparency obligation. In our view, the challenges evident from this year’s Report b y the 
Secretariat, combined with China’s huge role in the world trading system, underscore the 
importance of China finding the means and know -how to translate its trade -related measures into 
one WTO language, as it promised to do long ago. While this would  be a significant undertaking, it 
also would create a win -win scenario. Making translations of China’s trade -related measures 
readily accessible can only serve to increase trade and investment and isn’t that one of the main 
purposes of this Organization?  
4.112.   Turning to the specifics of this year’s Trade Policy Review, as we look back over the past 
two years, the United States notes both positive developments and negative developments in key 
areas.  
4.113.   As in past years, one area that continues to generate signific ant concerns for the United 
States is China’s inadequate and uneven protection and enforcement of intellectual property 
rights. While the Secretariat’s Report and the Government Report both describe extensive efforts 
by the Chinese authorities to make impr ovements, an enormous amount of work remains to close 
significant loopholes in China’s legal framework, and to reduce the unacceptably high infringement 
levels in China.  
4.114.   With regard to industrial policies, while we are hopeful that the Third Plenum will 
eventually lead to a significantly reduced role for the Government in China’s economy, China’s 
embrace of State capitalism over the past decade generated innumerable policies that seek to limit 
market access for imported goods, foreign manufacturers and fore ign service suppliers, while 
offering substantial government guidance, resources and regulatory support to China’s 
state-owned enterprises and other favoured domestic companies. For example, China continues to 
deploy export quotas, export duties, variable value -added tax rebates and other export restraints, 
particularly on raw material inputs where it holds the leverage of being among the world’s leading 
producers. China also pursues discriminatory policies promoting “indigenous innovation,” maintains 
investment restrictions, mandates the use of unique national standards and imposes many other 
kinds of direct and indirect restrictions on foreign companies and their goods and services.  
4.115.   One other key way in which China supports its domestic industries is thro ugh 
subsidization, as is well -documented by WTO disputes and Members’ anti -subsidy investigations. A 
review of China’s numerous five -year plans strongly suggests, moreover, that this subsidization is 
widespread and massive. It is therefore particularly tro ubling that China remains years behind in 
its required subsidies notifications and that the Secretariat’s Report notes several instances in 
which China was unwilling or unable to provide requested information. In its twelve years of WTO 
Membership, China h as submitted only two notifications under Article 25 of the SCM Agreement, 
with its last notification covering only 2005 to 2008. Furthermore, China’s notifications have been 
seriously incomplete. China has never notified any sub -central government subsidi es, even though 
hundreds of them have been the subject of WTO disputes. China also has yet to notify a single wild 
capture fishery subsidy program since becoming a WTO Member, even though China is by far the WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 world’s greatest fishing power and the Secretari at’s Report lists over thirty on -going fishery 
support programmes. This lack of transparency is unacceptable in the face of the rapidly declining 
state of the world’s fish stocks. In addition, China has failed to notify any agricultural support 
provided af ter 2008, even though it appears that China has significantly increased its subsidies for 
many agricultural products in recent years – including what appears to be the world’s largest 
subsidies in the area of cotton.  
4.116.   In the area of services, the Secretaria t’s Report characterizes the new Shanghai Free Trade 
Zone as “a pilot project to test the further liberalization of trade in services". We look forward to 
further liberalization, both inside and outside the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, and hope that it will 
address Chinese regulators’ continued use of discriminatory regulatory processes, informal bans on 
entry and expansion, restrictions on the cross -border supply of services, overly burdensome 
licensing and operating requirements and other measures that have frustrated the efforts of U.S. 
suppliers in several important sectors to achieve their full market potential in China.  
4.117.   In the area of agriculture, despite robust trade, China remains an unpredictable market, 
largely because of selective intervention in the  market by China’s regulatory authorities. It also 
appears that China has still not fully embraced international standards and science -based 
rulemaking with regard to both sanitary and phytosanitary barriers and other measures.  
4.118.   The United States is working  bilaterally with China to resolve our concerns through 
cooperative and constructive engagement. Our principal avenues for dialogue include the 
U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, where the two sides seek pragmatic 
resolutions to pressing tr ade issues, and the U.S. -China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, which 
helps manage the complex U.S. -China economic relationship on a long -term, strategic basis.  
4.119.   At the same time, the United States actively pursues dispute settlement at the WTO when 
dialogu e does not resolve our concerns. Two years ago before the Trade Policy Review Body, we 
felt compelled to discuss two recently filed WTO disputes, which reflected our deep concerns about 
a pattern of conduct by China’s Ministry of Commerce – specifically, w hat seemed to be a reflexive 
resort to domestic trade remedy investigations and duties in response to legitimate actions taken 
by the United States or other trading partners under their trade remedies laws. We explained that 
this type of apparently retalia tory conduct, which is specifically provided for under Chinese law, is 
at odds with fundamental WTO principles, and that the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism, not 
the immediate initiation of a new trade remedy investigation, is the appropriate means to t ry to 
resolve concerns about a trading partner’s actions. We can now report that WTO panels and the 
Appellate Body have issued findings in three separate disputes brought by the United States 
confirming that China failed to abide by WTO disciplines when im posing its duties.  
4.120.   In conclusion, now that China is the WTO’s largest trader, there can be no question about 
China’s enormous impact on global trade and the operation and functioning of institutions like the 
WTO. We now need to see China’s active leadershi p to support these institutions, including 
through the actions that China takes at home, to match its trading status. China’s notification, just 
yesterday, of Category A provisions under the new Trade Facilitation Agreement is a welcome 
indication of such leadership. We look for additional indications of such leadership, including 
notably through redoubled efforts by China to bring about a balanced and commercially significant 
conclusion to negotiations to expand the Information Technology Agreement. WTO Me mbers 
rightfully have high expectations of its top traders. As one of those top traders, the United States 
looks forward to working with China with a shared sense of responsibility, both in the negotiations 
we conduct and in how we approach adherence to th e important disciplines of the WTO.  
TURKEY  
4.121.   It is good to observe that China has maintained a generally successful growth and 
development outcome during the period under review, despite the fact that it has been facing 
quite complex and challenging internat ional environment. In this regard, we hope that Chinese 
Government’s efforts towards achieving a sound transformation of its development pattern, the 
adjustment and optimization of its economic reforms will yield their desired outcomes.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.122.   In this context, we  expect that the Governments "Policy of New Thinking on 
Macro -economy" will also reach its objective of solving the dilemma between the short term 
stimulation and long term -growth bottlenecks of the economy.  
4.123.   It is important to note that China’s recent init iatives including the expenditure -switching 
policies towards domestic demand, accelerating the development of services sector, its focus on 
innovation -driven development, and public economic enterprises and administrative reforms are all 
important tools fo r furthering reform process.  
4.124.   As was also expressed by Assistant Minister of China; China has been trying to strike a 
balance between market and Government via enhancing the space for market and increasing the 
efficiency for the Government. Elimination of more than 400 regulatory items is an important 
indication in this regard.  
4.125.   We also maintain a strong view that China has been increasingly taking an active and more 
responsible role for supporting and managing the global trading system. In this context, I w ould 
like to specifically express our appreciation and welcome the recent Chinese submission of Trade 
Facilitation Category A Commitments.  
4.126.   Like any other WTO Member, there is of course, also a room for China for further 
deepening its trade and economic ref orm. As was also emphasized by our discussant, China needs 
to improve its overall economic regulations, to further liberalize its trade, investment and IPR 
regime, to reform its industrial, subsidy and credit system and to enhance its environmental 
sustain ability.  
4.127.   We believe that, in line with its continuously increasing share in international commerce, 
China will continue to make further successful reform of its trade and economy, and it will give 
even more support to the multilateral trading system throug h its continuous positive engagement.  
4.128.   I should like to underline that, on the bilateral front we want to further deepen our 
bilateral economic relations with China. In 2013, our total trade volume has reached US$28.3 
billion largely in favour of China. We wish to further improve and balance our trade and FDI 
relations in both ways also in other markets.  
KOREA  
4.129.   We find this TPR meaningful and significant as it provides WTO Members with a good 
opportunity to better understand where the Chinese economy stands a nd is headed. There is a 
saying that it is just like "whipping an already galloping horse", which means encouraging what is 
good to become better and best. We view that China 5th TPR of this year is a meaningful 
opportunity for whipping an already gallopin g horse.  
4.130.   We are pleased to note that China's economy has again experienced continued strong 
growth during the period under review (2012 -2014), with its real GDP expanding by 7.7% 
annually after the robust growth in 2010 and 2011. As the Secretariat noted, the driving force is 
strong domestic demand and active fiscal policy. China's such strong domestic demand has 
contributed to the broader global economic growth.  
4.131.   It is no secret that China was the second largest trader during the previous review period, 
and now has become the world's largest trader, with total trade volume of US$4.16 trillion in 
2013. In addition, China remains a large recipient of FDI. FDI inflows reached US$117.6 billion in 
2013. This, in part, is the result of Chinese Government's targete d efforts to attract FDI through 
measures aimed at simplifying rules and easing restriction on the use of capital for direct 
investment. Indeed, given China's overall economic performance through trade and investment, it 
can be characterized that China has  contributed to the global economic growth as not only a major 
producer, but also a major consumer, and it can also be said that a stable and healthy Chinese 
economy is almost synonymous with a healthy global economy.  
4.132.   In this context, we would like to comm end China on its efforts to further accelerate its 
"opening up" as Assistant Minister Wang mentioned this morning and as highlighted by "A Decision 
on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms" adopted at the Third Plenary WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 Session of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held in 
November  2013. Particularly, we would like to welcome the detailed roadmap and a time -frame for 
the implementation of the reforms that were elaborated, whereby 330 major reform measures 
covering 15 areas have been set.  
4.133.   However, we pay particular attention to the fact that the Chinese authorities noted "after 
more than three decades of fast expansion, China is undergoing a period of restructuring and 
reform. And the reform process is entering  a stage where crucial problems need to be addressed 
and that, to this end, China is making efforts to deepen reforms and restructuring". Indeed, we 
expect that China will further contribute to the positive development of the global economy while it 
enhanc es its own internal economic stability through proactive measures.  
4.134.   Korea and China are not only firm believers in the multilateral trading system, represented 
by the WTO, but also strong supporters of its enhancement. Like Korea, China has been actively 
participating in the DDA negotiations, and plurilateral negotiations such as the GPA and expansion 
of the ITA.  
4.135.   On the bilateral front, Korean and China are enjoying one of the most robust and 
interlinked economic relationships. China is currently Korea's lar gest trading partner, while Korea 
stands as China's third largest trading partner. The bilateral trade volume reached US$229 billion 
in 2013. Regarding investment, 20% of Korea's FDI is destined for China, reaching a total of 
US$60 billion in 2013. Investm ent in Korea by Chinese investors cumulatively amounts to 
US$4.9  billion. What is further encouraging is that the two countries are negotiating an FTA, 
through which the bilateral economic cooperation on all fronts are expected to expand even 
further.  
4.136.   Let me turn to some areas of particular interests and issues for Korea with respect to the 
economic and trade policies of China. Along these lines, I would like to make several comments as 
follows.  
4.137.   While we recognize China's efforts on economic reform and rest ructuring across the board, 
there is still room for further improvement. First, redundant administrative regulations and 
inconsistent administrative measures in the central and local Governments need to be rectified. 
For instance, regarding the registratio n requirement for retail business, our relevant industry says 
that one has to separately register for the opening of a second shop in the same city, which 
appears as administratively overly burdensome.  
4.138.   Another example concerns customs inspection for goods.  We would like to indicate that a 
negative approach is administratively efficient than a positive approach. We would also like to 
point out that the global trend in customs inspection is to focus on risk management based on the 
corporation rather than the goods themselves.  
4.139.   Secondly, the enforcement of IPR needs to be reinforced. As the Secretariat noted, despite 
efforts by the authorities to combat infringement, the enforcement of IPRs continues to be a major 
challenge in China. For instance, damages caused  by malicious preregistration of foreign 
trademarks and by counterfeit cosmetics are still heavily reported. We would like to hear about 
what measures are being considered by the relevant Chinese authorities.  
4.140.   Thirdly, China's resorting to trade remedies ne eds to be more prudent, and it is 
unfortunate that this remains an important issue even after it was heavily discussed recently in 
various multilateral settings.  
4.141.   Lastly, China's notifications to the WTO need to be updated in some areas, including those 
related to subsidies.  
4.142.   In addition to these points, my delegation also submitted a number of advance written 
questions to China on the various aspects of its trade and trade -related policies and measures. We 
would like to take this opportunity to thank China i n advance for responding to our requests. We 
will look into them carefully and come back to some of them later, if necessary.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.143.   We trust and expect that China's economy will continue to be the driving force of, and 
make contributions to, the growth of global  economy. That is why we expect all the more that 
China will take in, consider and respond to the concerns and overwhelming interests demonstrated 
by the number of questions raised in this meeting. Indeed, a Decision on Major Issues Concerning 
Comprehensiv ely Deepening Reforms of the 18th National Congress of the CPC was timely. In this 
regard, China's 5th TPR is a meaningful opportunity for "whipping an already galloping horse", as I 
mentioned at the outset. Through this TPR, WTO Members can understand whe re the Chinese 
economy stands and urge China to make further efforts.  
NORWAY  
4.144.   First of all, let me refer to our bilateral trade relationship with China. China is Norway’s 3rd 
largest source of imports and 11th largest export destination. We have been please d to observe 
that there has been an increase of 5% from 2012 to 2013 in our trade in goods.  
4.145.   The trade patterns reflect both the diversity and the complementary nature of our 
economies – a pattern we welcome and hope will continue.  
4.146.   Both China and Norway at tach great importance to the multilateral trading system and to 
the conclusion of the Doha Round. Particularly now, in the current economic climate, the world 
economy needs an impetus. We are pleased to note that China has generally resisted a 
protectionis t response to the effects of the global economic crisis, and that China as many have 
stated, serves as an engine for growth for the world economy.  
4.147.   China and Norway are both world leading maritime nations. Maritime cooperation between 
China and Norway is s ignificant, including in the WTO.  
4.148.   Norway places great emphasis on the negotiations on maritime services in the WTO. 
Supply of and access to maritime services on open, non -restricted and equal market conditions is 
crucial to economic development. Improved and binding commitments in the WTO is an important 
basis for fair competition and economic growth in the global maritime industry.  
4.149.   China is the largest wind energy provider worldwide. Our countries share both ambitions 
and interests as developers and prov iders of clean energy. We see considerable global benefits 
facilitating closer bilateral cooperation, and call upon China to maintain an open and transparent 
environment for investment in this area. Likewise, we underline our considerable complimentary 
interest in oil and gas production. Being the largest consumer of energy in total figures, China has 
a particular responsibility in ensuring sustainable energy, as well as working towards a stronger 
regime to forge global energy security.  
4.150.   We would also like t o associate ourselves with the remarks made by New Zealand on 
fisheries subsidies which could contribute to overfishing.  
4.151.   Norway continues to stress the importance of transparency, predictability and 
non-discrimination as the pillars of the international tr ade regime. Norway commends China for 
continuing the process of opening up the economy and its efforts to facilitate trade and 
investment.  
4.152.   In a business survey conducted last year, quite a few Norwegian companies operating in 
China reported that they expe rienced a number of difficulties related to trade in goods and 
services.  
4.153.   With regard to trade in goods, procedures related to customs clearance, duties and 
expedited shipments are time -consuming and cumbersome. We therefore look forward to China 
implementi ng to the fullest possible, the new Agreement in Trade Facilitation. We welcome the 
leadership demonstrated by China in its notification of category A commitments in Trade 
facilitation.  
4.154.   Other delegations have already mentioned SPS -related problems. The iss ue of testing and 
quarantine measures applied to fresh salmon since December 2010 continues to concern us.  
Norway recognizes each WTO Member’s right to set their own appropriate level of protection, WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 however, we are concerned about the justification and pr oportionality of the applied measures and 
of the lack of transparency involved. This issue has been raised a number of times both bilaterally 
and in the context of the SPS -committee. We strongly regret that China has still not responded 
favourably to Norwa y’s concrete request for a bilateral meeting between technical experts.  
4.155.   We have recently been informed that China applies a system of import licensing for 
Norwegian salmon that de facto  constitutes a system of import quotas. We question the lack of 
transp arency about the procedures, their justification as well as their conformity with WTO rules. 
We invite China to clarify this issue as a matter of urgency.  
4.156.   With regard to trade in services, licensing requirements and what is perceived as 
discriminatory tre atment of foreign companies is a challenge.  
4.157.   Like others, Norway has submitted specific questions and comments about China’s trade 
and investment policies and procedures and we look forward to the responses to these.  
4.158.   In closing, Norway appreciates this opp ortunity to comment on China’s trade policy. We 
welcome further cooperation on trade matters with our Chinese colleagues and wish you a 
successful trade policy review.  
COLOMBIA  
4.159.   "Keep a cool head and maintain a low profile. Never take the lead, but aim to d o 
something big". Estas palabras pronunciadas por Den Xiaoping reflejarían, parcialmente, la 
realidad económica de la China de hoy. Y es parcial porque el país, pese a que no pretendiese 
asumir un liderazgo visible, continúa siendo un jalonador de la econo mía mundial y un jugador 
predominante en el comercio global actual.  
4.160.   En efecto, las tasas de crecimiento, aunque han disminuido frente a años anteriores, 
continúan siendo altas comparadas con los estándares mundiales, registrando niveles no inferiores 
al 7% . Adicionalmente, China se ha constituido en la mayor entidad comercial del mundo, tanto a 
nivel de importaciones como de exportaciones, experimentando una expansión durante el período 
objeto de examen, a tal punto que el monto de exportaciones en el año 2 013 fue un 40% superior 
al registrado en 2010.  
4.161.   Como viene sucediendo desde las reformas implementadas a finales de los años 70, China 
continúa promoviendo la adopción de políticas orientadas a una mayor apertura de su régimen 
comercial. En esa medida, nos complace observar en el Informe de la Secretaría los significativos 
avances que se registran en la política comercial del país desde el último examen, entre los que se 
destacan:  
 Establecimiento de la Zona Franca Experimental (Shangái) de China (CSPFTZ), co mo 
una estrategia nacional para profundizar las reformas comerciales y de inversión.  
 Adopción de medidas tendientes a abrir gradualmente el suministro de servicios por 
fuera de dicha Zona Franca Experimental.  
 Continuación de esfuerzos para facilitar el com ercio de bienes.  
 Implementación de medidas dirigidas a mejorar la protección y observancia de los 
derechos de Propiedad Intelectual.  
 Introducción de cambios tendientes a acelerar los procedimientos de evaluación y 
aprobación de proyectos de inversión.  
 Aume nto de las preferencias unilaterales otorgadas a un significativo número de PMA.  
4.162.   No obstante, pese a estos y otros avances, ciertos hechos generarían preocupación a los 
Miembros de la OMC:  
 Persistencia de una alta participación del Estado en la economía pu diendo generar 
distorsiones que a su vez pueden ser amplificadas por el no cubrimiento de las 
empresas estatales por la Ley de competencia.  
 Falta de claridad en cuanto al monto de ayuda otorgado por el Gobierno a las 
exportaciones y a los diferentes sector es económicos.  
 Atraso en las notificaciones de subsidios y agricultura.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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  En materia de prácticas antidumping, carencia de transparencia en los procedimientos 
y posible elusión de derechos en el caso de las investigaciones.  
 Divergencias en los fundamentos en  que se basa la regulación, hecho que genera 
dificultades al momento de identificar cuáles son las políticas sectoriales aplicadas.  
 Conflicto entre las directrices que guían la implementación de políticas, hecho que 
evidencia la existencia de agendas insti tucionales diferentes.  
4.163.   Para finalizar, quisiéramos resaltar lo mencionado por China en su Informe de ser en la 
actualidad el principal interlocutor comercial de más de 120 países, además de uno de los motores 
más importantes del crecimiento económico mundi al. En virtud de ello, agrega, participará de 
manera proactiva en la gobernanza económica mundial y ejercerá su influencia como gran 
potencia comercial en desarrollo. Esa mención recuerda el proverbio chino: "el bambú de por sí 
crece muy rápido y muy alto,  tanto como 100 pies, pero continuará creciendo a una nueva altura".  
4.164.   En ese sentido, exhortamos a China a continuar esa senda de crecimiento, llevando a buen 
puerto sus políticas de desarrollo interno en consonancia con los principios de previsibilidad del  
sistema multilateral de comercio. Confiamos en que las mismas tendrán un impacto positivo en el 
entorno económico mundial.  
COSTA  RICA 
4.165.   Costa Rica tiene una relación privilegiada con China que queremos seguir fortaleciendo. 
Además de la estrecha relación de  amistad y cooperación, tenemos un Tratado de Libre Comercio 
entre los dos países que está en vigor desde agosto de 2011. Desde entonces, el comercio bilateral 
ha crecido cerca de un 70% en gran parte favorecido por la participación de ambos países en 
cadenas globales de valor. China es nuestro principal socio comercial en Asia, el 7º destino de 
nuestras exportaciones y el 2º país de origen de nuestras importaciones.  
4.166.   Aun cuando se ha visto un desaceleramiento en los últimos años, la tasa de crecimiento de 
la economía de China sigue siendo superior a la del resto del mundo y se espera que esté por 
encima del 7% en los próximos años. Esta robusta tasa de crecimiento le ha permitido convertirse 
en la principal entidad comercial del mundo y la segunda economía m undial. Las cifras siguen 
siendo impresionantes; China ha contribuido con más de la mitad de la participación de los países 
BRIC al crecimiento de la producción económica mundial en los últimos años y la participación de 
China en el PIB mundial calculada s egún los tipos de cambio de mercado, aumentó de un 2% en 
1995 a un 12% en 2013.  
4.167.   Este crecimiento ha estado basado en las reformas económicas llevadas adelante en los 
últimos 30 años que le han permitido a China reducir de 250 a 15 millones el número de pe rsonas 
viviendo en la pobreza extrema. Vemos con sumo interés las reformas lanzadas más 
recientemente que van dirigidas a darle sostenibilidad a su crecimiento, en particular mediante el 
estímulo de la demanda interna.  
4.168.   La reforma del régimen de inversiones  para hacerlo más abierto y previsible, la aceleración 
de la aplicación de los acuerdos de libre comercio y el desarrollo de la Zona Franca Experimental 
de Shanghái son algunos ejemplos de otras medidas introducidas por China. Esperamos conocer 
más sobre l os resultados de la Zona Franca Experimental de Shanghái, en particular la posibilidad 
de introducir algunas de las reformas experimentadas en el resto de la economía. Por otro lado, la 
Secretaría señala que los distintos niveles de reglamentación siguen s iendo un obstáculo 
importante para identificar las medidas de política específicas que se aplican en China, de ahí la 
importancia de las medidas dirigidas a simplificar la normativa, reducir las restricciones a la IED y 
aumentar la transparencia.  
4.169.   También vemos con mucho interés el desarrollo del sector de servicios en China. En el 
2012, el comercio de servicios representó alrededor del 10% de todo el comercio de China, 
significativamente menor que el promedio mundial que es de un 20%. En el discurso de ape rtura 
del Primer Ministro de China, Sr. Li Keqiang, con ocasión del 2º Foro Global de Servicios de la 
UNCTAD celebrado en China en mayo del 2013, éste reconocía la importancia del comercio de 
servicios en el futuro de China, y subrayaba el desarrollo de lo s servicios como un importante 
medio para promover el crecimiento sostenido, mantener el empleo y acelerar la modernización de WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 su economía. Ciertamente, el sector de servicios en China tiene un gran potencial y ya en 2012 
había atraído más inversión extran jera que cualquier otro sector de su economía.  
4.170.   Mi delegación quisiera destacar las iniciativas de facilitación del comercio que ha venido 
implementando China, como el despacho de aduana sin documentación impresa, la facilitación de 
los procedimientos en fr ontera, los servicios aduaneros y la inspección de la calidad. En el Informe 
de la Secretaría se señala además la importancia de armonizar los procedimientos aduaneros en el 
país. Este tipo de medidas favorecen al comercio exterior en su conjunto, tanto a exportadores 
como a importadores; son determinantes para la participación exitosa en las cadenas globales de 
valor y benefician a todos sus interlocutores comerciales. En consonancia con estas medidas, nos 
complace el compromiso del Gobierno de China en la  implementación dentro de los plazos fijados 
de los Acuerdos de Bali, especialmente el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio. Nos 
congratulamos de la reciente notificación de China de sus compromisos bajo la categoría A y de 
participar junto con China en  la iniciativa sobre bienes ambientales.  
4.171.   Costa Rica reconoce el papel fundamental de China en el sistema multilateral de comercio 
de la OMC y su liderazgo en el fortalecimiento de esta organización. En consonancia con este 
compromiso, sería importante que China ponga al día sus obligaciones de notificación en la OMC. 
En particular, esperamos con interés la información relativa a la ayuda doméstica en el sector 
agrícola de los últimos años (2011 -2013), un tema que ha sido recurrente en las preguntas de los 
Miembros, incluidas las que hizo Costa Rica.  
4.172.   Mi delegación es consciente del enorme esfuerzo del país examinado en la preparación de 
las respuestas a las preguntas formuladas, por lo que agradecemos a China sus respuestas, que 
vamos a analizar con cuidado.  
CANADA  
4.173.   There is no doubt that being part of the multilateral rules -based trading system has greatly 
benefitted China’s economic development, including its transformation from developing country to 
emerging economy to a true global economic power. The IMF estimates that from 2000 to 2013, 
China more than tripled its share of the global economy from just under 4% to over 12%. Two 
years ago, it became the world’s largest trader in goods, and it will soon become the largest 
economy.  
4.174.   While China’s story is fil led with such accomplishments, important challenges remain. 
Importantly, China is at a critical moment of transformation and its successes or failures will be 
the world’s successes or failures. For example, since the financial crisis, activity in China has  been 
too dependent on credit and investment. While this has supported China’s growth, and provided a 
welcome boost to the global economy at a time of falling demand, such a growth model is simply 
not sustainable and is already the cause of rising vulnerab ilities. While China has taken actions to 
address some of these vulnerabilities, including with respect to shadow banking and local 
government debts, achieving sustainable growth and development will depend on its broader long 
term strategy of shifting its  model of economic growth towards domestic demand. Trade can play 
an important role in supporting China’s rebalancing, and we would encourage it to consider further 
ways to leverage trade’s contribution to growth and rebalancing through the continued 
liberalization of its domestic markets.   
4.175.   It seems clear that China’s leaders are fully cognizant of the challenges they face and we 
are encouraged by their commitment to implement a new round of structural reforms. 
Nonetheless, we would like to focus China’s a ttention on four particular areas of concern to 
Canada: (1) foreign investment restrictions; (2) regulatory barriers to trade; (3) state -owned 
enterprises; and (4) transparency. Reforms in these areas will help address several of the hurdles 
foreign compan ies encounter in the Chinese market, and will be to the benefit of the Chinese 
economy. Likewise, ambitious engagement in the WTO and its plurilateral initiatives will 
complement China’s reform agenda and in turn serve as a catalyst for further liberalizat ion.  
4.176.   China’s investment regime continues to restrict foreign investors from contributing to the 
development of key sectors. We have followed with interest reforms aimed at liberalizing foreign 
investment, particularly those being piloted in the Shanghai F ree Trade Zone. While underwhelmed 
and discouraged by the initial, unambitious Negative List on Foreign Investment Access to the WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 Zone, we remain hopeful that any revised list will be significantly shorter, and that the relevant 
guidelines and regulations w ill be released at the same time to support transparency and provide 
real opportunities for foreign investors.  
4.177.   China’s regulatory process also continues to pose challenges to market access and the 
uninterrupted flow of goods and services, despite impressi ve efforts to strengthen its regulatory 
regime over the past decade. For example, the current licensing system sometimes requires the 
disclosure of sensitive information or trade secrets, which can put critical intellectual property at 
risk during the appr oval process. Canadian companies often come across technical requirements in 
China that diverge from international standards, or add unnecessary steps, as in the case of 
China’s ICT and telecom device certification requirements. Exacerbating these barriers  to trade is 
the continued restriction of foreign business participation in standard -setting work in certain areas. 
To realise the benefits of trade liberalization, we encourage China to increase its efforts to align 
with international standards and ensure  broader involvement from interested stakeholders, in 
China and abroad, in its standardization plans.  
4.178.   With regard to reforms that will create a more level playing field, we note that Chinese 
state-owned enterprises tend to benefit from lower cost of, and better access to, capital than non -
public -sector enterprises. This has not only created disincentives to foreign companies looking to 
invest in China, it has also created overcapacity in certain industries, leading to distortions in 
global trade. We welcom e China’s commitment to subject its state -owned enterprises to greater 
competition and tighter regulation, and note China’s progress in reducing the influence of 
state-owned enterprises in the economy. Nevertheless, Canada believes further progress is 
needed, and encourages China to continue its efforts to further liberalize this sector.  
4.179.   Finally, we are also concerned with the lack of transparency in important areas of China’s 
economic and trade regime. The often vague or insufficient information available publicly, as well 
as the inconsistencies in policy interpretation and implementation at the local level, create 
significant delays and costs for foreign companies. On the institutional side, the Secretariat Report 
points to numerous examples where required  information was not provided for the Trade Policy 
Review and to WTO committees. In particular, the absence of information precluded the 
Secretariat from properly assessing China’s economic support measures. An effective multilateral 
trading system relies on transparency to foster trust and openness among its Members. We believe 
that these transparency exercises are fundamentally important, and hope that China will make 
every effort to fulfil its notification obligations in a more timely and complete manner . 
4.180.   As China explores new ways to sustain its economic growth, it needs to resist 
implementing measures that could inadvertently encourage domestic protectionism and undermine 
the gains of actively participating in the multilateral trading system, such as gi ving Chinese 
companies easier access to government credit, and preferential treatment when it comes to 
licensing, approvals, public contracts, tax benefits and lower land costs. We strongly encourage 
China to be a constructive and ambitious influence on gl obal trade and investment liberalization.  
4.181.   In this regard, we look forward to China’s revised WTO Government Procurement 
Agreement accession market access offer and hope that it will reflect a significant improvement 
from China’s previous offers. By accedin g to the GPA, China would benefit from increased 
transparency of procurement practices, enhanced investor confidence, and improved access to the 
GPA parties’ procurement markets. We also look forward to continuing to work with China in the 
Information Tech nology Agreement expansion negotiations. As the world’s largest net exporter 
and producer of IT products, we hope that China can show leadership and demonstrate a high 
level of ambition to help steer the ITA expansion negotiations to a successful conclusio n in the 
near term. In addition, Canada hopes that China will bring a high level of ambition to the 
Environmental Goods negotiations and will see this initiative as a key contributor to achieving its 
goals of combating pollution and protecting the environm ent.  
4.182.   In closing, we take note of the effort that China has made over the last two years to 
implement its WTO commitments and remain encouraged by its determination to continue along 
the path of liberalization. We have always maintained that a robust, rule s-based trading system is 
vital to the current and future prosperity of all trading nations and, as a global economic power, 
China has an indisputable role to play.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 PERÚ  
4.183.   Nuestra delegación, al igual que lo expresado por otros Miembros esta mañana, aprecia los 
sólidos resultados económicos generales obtenidos por China en el período objeto de examen en el 
que la economía de ese país creció 7,7% en los años 2012 y 2013 producto, entre otros, por la 
aplicación de una política fiscal activa que a su vez mantuvo  controlado el brote inflacionario. 
Asimismo es de destacar, por un lado, el aumento del empleo urbano y los ingresos de los 
residentes y los ingresos fiscales.  
4.184.   En lo que se refiere a la estructura comercial, es importante señalar que los productos 
manufac turados continúen siendo el principal componente de las exportaciones que representan 
más del 90% del total. Así como relievar el hecho que China siga siendo un importante receptor de 
inversión extranjera directa que en el 2013 superó los 117,000 millones de dólares EE.UU.  
4.185.   El camino por recorrer mantiene importantes retos para China, entre ellos, el desafío de 
como acelerar el avance hacia una industrialización, así como lograr un mejor balance entre el 
sector público y privado. Tal como lo expresa el Infor me de la Secretaría "la participación estatal 
en la economía continua siendo relativamente elevada, ya que el sector público controla alrededor 
del 40% de la inversión en activos fijos y le corresponden las dos terceras partes de las 
exportaciones totales" . Finalmente, existe un espacio para mejorar la frecuencia e información 
contenida en las notificaciones que China presenta a la OMC.  
4.186.   En lo que se refiere a la relación bilateral Perú -China, los primeros vínculos oficiales se 
remontan al año 1849, año del primer arribo de migrantes formales chinos al Perú. El 26 de junio 
del año 1874, se firmó en Tientsin, el Tratado de Amistad, Comercio y Navegación entre Perú y 
China; instrumento que rigió por varias décadas las relaciones bilaterales. El Perú y la Repúbl ica 
Popular de China establecieron relaciones diplomáticas mediante el comunicado conjunto del 2 de 
noviembre del año 1971.  
4.187.   Las relaciones bilaterales peruano -chinas se hallan definidas principalmente por tres 
factores que ambos países han identificado y h echo explícitos durante los últimos 15 años:  
 La convergencia económica de carácter estratégico que se deriva de la posición 
geográfica del Perú como puente entre el Asia nororiental y el interior de Sudamérica 
y el Océano Atlántico, a través de los corredo res bioceánicos.  
 La proyección del Perú hacia un mercado ampliado subregional.  
 Los vínculos históricos entre ambos países.  
4.188.   En el espacio bilateral, China es el principal socio comercial del Perú. Cabe destacar el 
importante crecimiento del comercio bilater al que en el 2008 era de 7,632 dólares EE.UU. y que en 
el 2013 llegó a 15,711 dólares EE.UU., es decir, en solo seis años creció en un 106%, reflejo de los 
importantes lazos e intereses económicos que compartimos ambos países que se han visto 
consolidados en un Tratado de Libre Comercio que entró en vigencia el 1ro de marzo de 2010 y 
que ha permitido que los principales productos de la oferta exportable peruana se beneficien de 
este acuerdo (potas jibias y calamares, uvas frescas, aguacates, mangos, cebada,  páprika, tara en 
polvo, hilados de pelo fino, entre otros). Esto se enmarca en el proceso de acercamiento con el 
Asia. Para el Perú, este TLC representa para el Perú la oportunidad de establecer reglas de juego 
claras, con un marco transparente y previsib le, que permita tener un comercio bilateral ordenado, 
el cual salvaguarde justificadamente los intereses nacionales. Asimismo, brinda una señal positiva 
que elevará el interés de capitales procedentes de China y de otros países para invertir más 
activament e en el Perú. Sin duda existe un importante espacio para que las exportaciones 
peruanas a Chin, especialmente las que provienen de los sectores no tradicionales, es decir con 
valor agregado, crezcan.  
4.189.   En cuanto a las importaciones provenientes de ese país, cabe señalar que de manera 
sostenida desde el año 2008 al 2013, han sido las importaciones de bienes de capital y materiales 
de construcción las que lideran este rubro y representan un 46%. De otro lado, otro factor a 
destacar son las inversiones chinas en  el Perú que, por ejemplo, solo en el sector minero superan 
los 15,000 millones de dólares EE.UU., lo que se efectúa al amparo del Convenio sobre la 
promoción y protección recíproca de inversiones y el capítulo de inversiones del TLC Perú -China.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.190.   En el espa cio multilateral, Perú y China integran el Foro de Cooperación Económica Asia 
Pacífico (APEC) y en la OMC compartimos intereses en los Grupos G20 y G33. En materia de 
propiedad intelectual, ambos somos patrocinadores del documento TN/C/W/52, una propuesta de 
"modalidades" para las negociaciones sobre las indicaciones geográficas y la "divulgación" del 
origen de los recursos genéticos y los conocimientos tradicionales asociados a estos en el sistema 
de patentes.  
INDIA  
4.191.   At the outset, India would like to comme nd China's remarkable pace of economic growth 
and development. Even during the downturn, China maintained a healthy growth rate, making it 
one of the fastest growing economies in the world today. In India, China's growth story is a 
continuing theme of inte rest. As economic partners as well as neighbouring countries, we have a 
mutual stake in each other's progress and prosperity and we continue to learn from each other.  
4.192.   China and India are also partners under the BRICS framework and are working together on 
a variety of issues such as global governance and sustainable development.  
4.193.   India's trade with China has expanded very significantly during the decade and were 
actively engaged in developing and diversifying our trade relationship further. India and China 
have a comprehensive institutional mechanism for addressing trade issues, including industry, 
financial services, aviation, banking, customs cooperation, etc.  
4.194.   Today, China is India's largest trading partner with a bilateral trade in goods amounting 
US$65.88 billion during April 2013 -March 2014. This includes India's exports to China worth 
US$14.83 billion and imports from China worth US$51.05 billion, resulting in a negative trade 
balance in goods of more than US$36 billion. The growing deficit needs to be ad dressed in order to 
sustain the rapidly growing bilateral trade relations. In this context, I would like to mention that 
certain long pending market access issues relating to India on bovine meat and fruits and 
vegetables need to be resolved at the earlies t. 
4.195.   Finally, let me congratulate China for its commitment to sustain a high growth rate despite 
several impediments.  
BRUNEI  ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN  
4.196.   Since China's last review, her economy has grown substantively with a yearly growth of 
7.7% of real GDP. ASEAN not es that even though this percentage is lower than the growth rates 
during the last review, it represents the stable growth of the country's economy particularly with 
year-on-year increases on total import and exports between China and ASEAN totalling up to  over 
US$400 billion. ASEAN is the fourth -largest destination for China's outward investment and is 
China's third largest source of foreign direct investment.  
4.197.   China remains to be ASEAN's number one trading partner accounting for 13% of total 
ASEAN trade, m aintaining its very important economic and regional role in ASEAN. As we have 
mentioned at the last review of China, the trade and economic ties between ASEAN and China 
have continued to grow, since the signing of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive 
Economic Cooperation in 2002, leading to the establishment of the ASEAN -China Free Trade Area 
in 2010 where almost 97% of products classified by ASEAN -6 (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, 
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) and China in the Norma l Track have been 
eliminated, and other members of ASEAN are scheduled to fully implement the ACFTA on 
1 January 2015.  
4.198.   At the 16th ASEAN -China Summit held in October 2013, leaders welcomed the initiative for 
an upgraded ACFTA, which hopes to improve overal l market access conditions and trade balance 
between both sides. We have also committed to negotiate the RCEP (the Regional Comprehensive 
Economic Partnership) Agreement among ASEAN and its Plus -6 (Australia, China, India, Japan, 
Korea and New Zealand) whi ch aims to further facilitate the expansion of regional trade and 
investment.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.199.   ASEAN notes the challenges that China faced in this period of review, and its initiatives in 
addressing these by improving its business environment through changes, such as pushi ng 
forward market oriented reforms, promoting liberalization, and unifying its laws and regulations on 
domestic and foreign investments.  
4.200.   ASEAN is happy that China remains, despite the difficulties and challenges, an active 
participant in the multilateral t rading system and has been supportive of the need to push forward 
with the DDA negotiations while promoting the development of a "balanced, general preferential 
and win -win" multilateral trading system and firmly opposing trade and investment protectionism . 
4.201.   ASEAN would particularly like to thank Ambassador YU Jianhua and his delegation for their 
tireless efforts and constructive engagement with delegations, including individual ASEAN 
members, here in Geneva.  
4.202.   Some of us in ASEAN have submitted written questi ons to China's delegation and would 
like to thank them in advance for their written responses.  
4.203.   In conclusion, on behalf of ASEAN countries, we would like to express our appreciation for 
China's continued and constructive partnership.  
AUSTRALIA  
4.204.   The Australi a-China economic and trade relationship continues to strengthen with China 
now firmly entrenched as our largest trading partner. Total two -way trade reached A$151 billion in 
2013; this is just over one -fifth of our total trade and has grown by 15% per year  in trend terms 
over the last five years.   
4.205.   Strong economic complementarity underpins this relationship: China continues to supply 
Australia with a wide range of competitively -priced manufactures, while Australia remains a safe 
and reliable source of miner als and energy to fuel China’s strong growth and development.  
Australia’s iron ore and coal exports will remain vital to realize China’s urbanisation potential. 
Australia’s farm produce will continue to meet growing Chinese demand for high -quality food an d 
China is Australia’s largest market for foreign students and second -largest inbound tourism market 
by arrivals.  
4.206.   Investment ties are also growing strongly. Chinese investment in Australia has expanded 
significantly from a low base; total inbound investme nt from China increased by 41% to 
A$32 billion in the year to 2013. China is now Australia’s sixth -largest source of foreign direct 
investment, reaching A$21 billion in 2013. Australian investment in China in 2013 totalled 
A$30 billion, of which FDI was wo rth A$6 billion, making China our equal 12th -largest FDI 
destination.  
4.207.   In addition to growing trade and investment ties, expanding high -level exchanges and 
dialogue are building mutual understanding and trust. Regular meetings between China’s 
Commerce Minis ter and our Minister for Trade and Investment, as well as between the Chairman 
of China’s National Development and Reform Commission and our Treasurer and Minister for Trade 
and Investment, provide a valuable opportunity to share information on bilateral t rade, investment 
and economic issues.  
4.208.   2014 represents a pivotal year in the bilateral relationship. Australia’s Prime Minister made 
a landmark visit to China in April, leading Australia’s largest ever business delegation and laying 
the foundation for even stronger economic ties. Our Prime Minister will visit China again in 
November for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Also, in November, Australia will host the G20 
and will warmly welcome Xi Jinping’s first visit to Australia as Chinese President. Both co untries 
are firmly committed to working together to achieve free trade and investment.  
4.209.   Australia recognizes that China’s profile in the global economy continues to rise and gives 
China an influential role among WTO Members. Australia encourages China to ma ke a contribution 
to the multilateral trading system commensurate with its economic weight. We look forward to 
working together closely to develop a WTO post -Bali work plan by the end of 2014.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.210.   In Australia’s G20 Presidency year, we highly value China’s sup port for Australia’s G20 
trade agenda, including our critical focus on open trade for strong and sustained economic growth. 
Australia welcomes the positive role China has played as this year’s Host of APEC, which includes 
its promotion of a Ministerial -level statement in support of the WTO, in particular, the WTO 
Agreement on Trade Facilitation. China has also developed a strategic blueprint for global value 
chains and led work in APEC to take concrete steps towards realising a Free Trade Area of the 
Asia-Pacific.  
4.211.   Negotiations to conclude a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with China have intensified this 
year and are now entering the final stage. Australia welcomes the enduring mutual benefits 
conclusion of the FTA would provide. Any final agreement will need  to be comprehensive, 
high-quality and fully compliant with WTO rules and disciplines. We also look forward to working 
closely with China to achieve a comprehensive, high -quality and mutually beneficial Regional 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) ag reement.  
4.212.   We welcome the Resolution Concerning Some Major Issues In Comprehensively Deepening 
Reform, approved at the Third Plenary Session of the 18th National Congress of the Chinese 
Communist Party in November 2013. This is a major, complex programme and  will take some time 
to implement. We are strongly encouraged by China’s efforts to further reform and open up the 
Chinese economy, boost domestic consumption and facilitate the participation of small - and 
medium -sized enterprises in the economy.  
4.213.   Australia  sees further opportunities to widen and diversify our trade and investment 
relationship with China, particularly in agriculture and services. Improved market access for 
services providers remains an area of particular interest to Australia.   
4.214.   We note the call in the Third Plenum for the establishment of fair, open and transparent 
market rules and punishment of anti -competitive behaviour. We look forward to information from 
China on reforms taken or planned to strengthen market competition and address anti -competitive 
behaviour, including in relation to the role of state -owned enterprises in the economy.  
4.215.   Despite recent progress, investment in China remains highly regulated. Foreign investors 
face barriers such as restrictions on foreign equity, business scop e limitations and other forms of 
regulation, which place them at a considerable disadvantage relative to domestic investors. 
Moreover, differences between regulations at the national, provincial and local levels and a lack of 
transparency in enforcement cr eate a difficult investment and business environment for foreign 
and domestic investors alike. Australia encourages China to reform its trade and investment rules, 
including towards greater regulation on a national treatment basis and reducing contradictio ns and 
ambiguity between policy measures at different levels.  
4.216.   Australia particularly welcomes the creation of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone 
(CSPFTZ) and its role in facilitating trade, investment and financial services reform. We are 
optimist ic it may provide a model for broader reforms and encourage China to consider additional 
services liberalization measures in the CSPFTZ.  
4.217.   Australia notes there has been little change in China’s tariff structure since the last review 
and advocates that China  streamlines its tariff structure or undertakes further tariff reform. As 
subsidies are trade distorting, we would appreciate information on the level of any subsidies 
provided to firms.  
4.218.   Finally, we would like to again take the opportunity to express our a ppreciation to China 
for its efforts to implement its WTO accession commitments, and the significant progress it has 
made since the last review. We encourage China to continue to reform and liberalize its trade and 
investment environment to deal with the r estrictions that remain.  
BRAZIL  
4.219.   Brazil is pleased to participate in the Fifth Trade Policy Review of China, a valued partner 
with which we celebrate this year the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations in 
1974. We have covered an impr essive path since then.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.220.   Despite international and domestic challenges, China continues to contribute to the 
recovery of the global economy and has ushered in a new period of significant change, actively 
promoting economic reforms towards more domestic cons umption and investment, including 
incentives to employment, small and medium -sized enterprises, and measures to improve income 
distribution and expand social security coverage. In the same vein, the continued reform of the 
exchange rate system has positive  impacts on the real economy.  
4.221.   The reforms recently announced by President Xi Jinping have generated great expectations 
regarding China's further economic and trade openness. Brazil wishes China every success along 
this path.  
4.222.   Brazil commends China for its c ommitment to the multilateral trading system and to the 
successful conclusion of the DDA. We recognize its engaged participation in the outcomes achieved 
at MC9 and remain keen to further cooperate with it in the negotiations of the Post -Bali Work 
Programm e. Our countries coincide that the Work Programme must be balanced in terms of 
ambition and prioritize the development dimension, in line with the Doha mandate.  
4.223.   China is Brazil's largest trading partner, accounting for 17.3% of our trade in 2013. 
Between 2 009 and 2013, bilateral trade has grown from US$37 billion to US$83 billion, an 
increase of over 125%. Our exports to China grew by 119% while imports increased by 134%. 
Since 2008, Brazil has had a surplus in the bilateral trade that stood at US$8.7 billi on last year.  
4.224.   Our bilateral exchanges, however, continue to follow an asymmetric pattern, in which 
Brazilian exports are concentrated on a small set of commodities - iron ore, soybeans, crude oil, 
sugar and pulp, whereas imports from China consist largely of a wide range of industrial goods. 
This pattern has given rise to concern, and Brazil sees room for further efforts towards a more 
balanced trade structure that will explore synergies and competitive advantages in our two 
economies, including through bil ateral investments.  
4.225.   Occasional trade differences, a normal phenomenon in an intense commercial and 
economic relationship, have not prevented our countries from exploring and strengthening 
institutional mechanisms for cooperation and dialogue. Brazil and Ch ina are working ever more 
closely to continue to stimulate two -way trade while adopting measures aimed at further 
diversifying it.  
4.226.   We will be honoured to host President Xi Jinping for a bilateral visit this July, following the 
Sixth BRICS Summit to be held  in Fortaleza, Brazil, another demonstration of the growing 
cooperation that our countries have conducted in international fora, such as the BRICS, the G20, 
and here in the WTO.  
4.227.   The dynamism of the bilateral relationship can also be verified in the field o f investments. 
After an initial stage when Chinese investments in Brazil were concentrated in the area of 
agricultural and mineral commodities, now companies from China are expanding into a broader 
range of manufacturing and services industries, ranging fr om telecommunications and electricity 
transmission and distribution equipment to oil and gas and infrastructure, including ports and 
railways. In 2012 -2013, thirty -one Chinese investment projects were reported to have taken place 
in Brazil, amounting to US $8.43 billion. Brazil now ranks as the fourth main destination of Chinese 
foreign investment in the world.  
4.228.   Brazilian investments also have a presence in China in industries such as aircraft, mining, 
food processing, engines, car parts, pulp and paper, amon g others. They play a role in helping 
increase productivity and employment and in strengthening the bonds that link our two countries.  
4.229.   Brazil has submitted a broad set of detailed questions regarding a wide array of issues of 
our interest, ranging from eco nomic environment and regimes, to intellectual property, as well as 
trade policies and procedures in the area of agriculture and TBT, among others. Brazil appreciates 
the effort by China to answer them in written form and will carefully study the informati on 
provided.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 MALAYSIA  
4.230.   We associate ourselves to the ASEAN statement made by Brunei.  
4.231.   Allow me to begin by congratulating China for its achievement in becoming the world's 
largest trading nation in 2013, maintaining a stable growth of 7.7% during the period  under 
review. China has achieved tremendous economic growth since its accession to the WTO, and this 
is clear evidence on how Members could benefit from the multilateral trading system.  
4.232.   Malaysia had enjoyed longstanding economic ties with China. Over the years, economic 
relations with China grew stronger, based on historical and cultural people to people links; and 
particularly with both sides investing time and effort, to build close political and business 
exchanges at the highest level.  
4.233.   This year is in f act a significant year for Malaysia and China. 2014 marks the 40th 
anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries and it is our hope that the excellent 
relations will continue. On this occasion, our Prime Minister made a State visit to China in  
May 2014 to further strengthen our friendship that was catalysed by the second Prime Minister of 
Malaysia in 1974 who was the father of Prime Minister Najib.  
4.234.   Building upon both countries' commitments that China's relationship with Malaysia was 
very import ant and should be treated as a high priority, a special committee to be chaired by 
Prime Minister Najib would be set up. This committee will monitor and follow up on actions 
required as a result of Malaysia -China agreements and decisions. This would defini tely boost the 
pace and effectiveness of implementation.  
4.235.   On the bilateral front, our trade has been growing exponentially. China was Malaysia's 
largest trading partner in 2013, a position maintained since 2009. Trade with China accounted for 
14.8% of Malay sia's total trade in 2013 which amounted to US$64.42 billion. China was also 
Malaysia's largest source of imports at US$33.72 billion, an increase of 15.7% and second largest 
export destination with export value of US$30.69 billion, a 9.2% increase from 20 12. 
4.236.   For the period January -March 2014, bilateral trade with China increased 8.7% at 
US$14.74  billion compared to US$14.52 billion for the same corresponding period in 2013.  
4.237.   There are more than 280 companies with Chinese interests operating in the manufactu ring 
sector in Malaysia with some of these companies having also established regional operations in 
Malaysia.  
4.238.   Malaysian investments in China amounted to some US$786.68 million for the period 
2008-2013, mainly in manufacturing, financial and insurance, and Takaful activities, mining and 
quarrying, real estate activities, construction, information and communication, among others.  
4.239.   On our bilateral cooperation, one example that is ongoing is the development of the 
China -Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (QIP) an d the Malaysia -China Kuantan Industrial Park 
(MCKIP).  
4.240.   A five -year Programme for Economic and Trade Cooperation has been developed and it 
covers a range of areas including the agriculture and manufacturing industry, infrastructure, 
energy and mineral resour ces, the Halal industry, and small and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs). 
In services, cooperation initiatives are in ICT, tourism, logistics and the retail sector.  
4.241.   Economic cooperation has also been established at the provincial level, one example being 
the Special Committee on Economic Cooperation between Malaysia and Guangdong to encourage 
trade and investment between the two sides.  
4.242.   Malaysia is committed to attracting more Chinese investments and to become the 
preferred destination for Chinese companies to  expand businesses in ASEAN and the region.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 THAILAND  
4.243.   Thailand fully associates itself with the ASEAN statement previously delivered by the 
Ambassador of Brunei.  
4.244.   Thailand and China hold a close relationship in all aspects of trade historically. China is 
currently Thailand’s second largest trading partner, being our biggest export destination and 
second import source. On the other hand, Thailand is China’s thirteenth ranked trading partner, 
seventeenth export destination, and thirteenth import supplier. In 2 013, our trade value reached 
US$64.9 billion with a growth rate of 1.5%. In the same year, China was Thailand’s ninth ranked 
investor with a total investment of US$430 million.  
4.245.   Our bilateral trade and economic ties cover, among others, the Thailand -China J oint 
Committee on Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation which is a cooperation mechanism 
between us at the level of Deputy Prime Minister. To date, two meetings have been held. Thailand 
and China also established a Five -Year Development Plan on Trade and Economic Cooperation for 
the years 2012 -2016, which was signed during the official visit of the Prime Minister of Thailand to 
China in April 2013. The Plan covers 14 areas of cooperation, such as trade and investment 
facilitation, green innovation and technology, academic cooperation, intellectual property, SMEs, 
energy, agriculture, particular industries, infrastructure, mining, information technology, tourism, 
logistics, and finance. Under the Five -Year Development Plan, Thailand and China also signed  
several memorandums of understanding, including on agricultural trade cooperation and other 
areas of competition law and policies, trademark and geographical indication registrations, and 
exchange of trade -related information.  
4.246.   Echoing the ASEAN’s stateme nt, Thailand appreciates China’s important role as ASEAN’s 
largest trading partner. ASEAN trade with China and Thailand’s bilateral trade with China under the 
ASEAN -China Free Trade Agreement have increased during the past years, with Thailand’s share in 
the ASEAN -China trade levels accounting for around 10%. During the years 2012 -2015, Thailand is 
a country coordinator for the ASEAN -China FTA, and we have seen a continuously growing and 
fruitful cooperation between China and our region. We hope to see both  bilateral and regional 
trade growth continue to expand and our relationship develop.  
4.247.   From the multilateral trade perspective, Thailand is impressed with China’s economic 
performance during the review period with its stable growth of 7.7% annually. As also  noted in the 
Secretariat Report, China has become the world’s largest trader, continued to be a large recipient 
of foreign direct investment, and has concluded 12 FTAs with over 20 States and regions. These 
facts confirm China’s importance to the global e conomy, and there is a keen interest in China’s 
trade policies.  
4.248.   Thailand appreciates China’s active role in the WTO and DDA negotiations, and welcomes 
China’s implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement by early notification on Category A 
commitmen ts yesterday. In the months ahead, in establishing the Work Programme under the 
mandate of the Bali Ministerial Conference, Thailand encourages China, as a key player, to 
continue its leading and cooperative role, along with other Members, in order for the  Organization 
to achieve a meaningful and agreeable outcome.  
4.249.   In this review, Thailand submitted several questions to China as we have an interest in 
China’s current policies and measures on, among others, agricultural support programmes, 
intellectual prope rty, and investment. For example, our questions concern China’s policies for 
farmers under the 12th Five -Year Plan, which calls for an increase in grain production and price 
stability, and the implementations of several IP campaigns such as voluntary monit oring of video 
websites and advocating for the application of copyrighted software. We are looking forward to 
receiving and studying China’s response with great interest.  
4.250.   In closing, Thailand would like to express its appreciation to the delegation of the People’s 
Republic of China for today’s presentation and their response to our questions. We very much 
appreciate the continuous cooperation of Ambassador Yu Jianhua and his officers with the Thai 
Mission and the strong bilateral, ASEAN -China, and multilate ral relationships  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 INDONESIA  
4.251.   We are pleased to be here today for participating in The Trade Policy Review of with the 
largest ASEAN’s trading partners. China has been working closely with ASEAN and still continues to 
make greater contributions for the deve lopment of ASEAN. Regarding this matter, Indonesia would 
like to associate itself with the statement made by Brunei Darussalam on behalf of ASEAN.  
4.252.   In light of the Trade Policy Review which we are commencing today, we note with 
positivity that China has per formed well on its open trade regime. Indonesia commends the stable 
growth of Chinese economy during the period under review. This has contributed to the recovery 
and development of world economy. Despite the complex challenges, China has managed to 
accomp lish the huge task of securing a stable development of its national economy.  
4.253.   China has shown its positive results in opening up its economy while deepening its 
domestic reform comprehensively. Indeed, China has been picturing a new type of open economy 
which accelerates its liberalization process to build new advantages in international competition. 
Indonesia also commends the stronger role of China in promoting trade and investment 
liberalization through regional, sub -regional and bilateral cooperation.  
4.254.   We also appreciate China’s contribution in the WTO forum. We believe that China has a 
strong commitment to give its best effort to make “Post Bali” agenda successful.   
4.255.   In this opportunity, please allow me to share how both Governments have been engaging 
a mutual trade relationship. Indonesia and China are important trading partners to each other. The 
Governments and the Peoples of both countries have long maintained strong and friendly bilateral 
relations.  
4.256.   Trade balance between China and Indonesia has been growing significantly in the past four 
years. Indonesia’s trade with China increased by 20% to US$52.4 billion in 2013; from 
US$36.1  billion in 2010. In the entire year of 2013, the total trade value of both countries reached 
US$52.4  billion, with Indonesi a’s export to China reached US$22.6 billion while imports was 
US$29.8 billion. These figures reflect the strong economic ties between both countries.  
4.257.   Although China is Indonesia’s number one trading partner for export and import, China’s 
investment in Ind onesia was relatively small compared to other countries, reaching only 
US$297  million. In 2013, China is ranked on the 12th position in regard to incoming FDI to 
Indonesia, positioned after Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong, China. Therefore, we encourage China  
to increase cooperation with Indonesia as agreed in the Agreement on Cooperation signed on 
April 2010 in Indonesia.  
4.258.   Besides the strong and positive economic ties between Indonesia and China that both 
countries have been achieved during the last decade, w e still find some trade and trade related 
barriers that become Indonesia’s concerns. We believe that through this Trade Policy Review those 
issues can be addressed. We have submitted a number of questions related to our concerns on 
China’s trade policies a nd practices. We hope that the response provided by China will meet with 
our concerns.  
ECUADOR  
4.259.   Como lo señala el Informe de la Secretaría, China se ha convertido en la mayor entidad 
comercial del mundo. Su economía parecería haberse recuperado de los efec tos de la crisis 
mundial y ha demostrado un sólido crecimiento en los años 2012 y 2013. Cabe destacar que el 
motor que ha sostenido dicho crecimiento ha sido una fuerte demanda interna, factor que 
contribuye a reducir la vulnerabilidad de su economía frent e a los choques externos.  
4.260.   Las exportaciones e importaciones de China también han registrado un importante 
crecimiento durante el período objeto del examen. El liderazgo de China en el comercio de 
mercancías es indiscutible, sin embargo, el lograr un desarr ollo similar en el ámbito de servicios 
parecía ser uno de los retos futuros de su economía.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.261.   Desde su anterior Examen, China no ha modificado sustancialmente su régimen 
arancelario. En consecuencia, los aranceles siguen siendo más elevados para productos 
agropecuarios, sector que es de particular interés para países en desarrollo como el Ecuador. Sería 
deseable también contar con mayor información acerca de los procedimientos de establecimiento 
de normas, reglamentos técnicos y medidas sanitarias y fitosanit arias a nivel provincial.  
4.262.   Por otra parte, el Ecuador mira con interés el régimen para la inversión extranjera de 
China, el cual fomenta la conformación de empresas conjuntas, particularmente en el área de 
investigación y desarrollo, así como su direccionam iento a sectores estratégicos. Tales políticas 
favorecen la generación de capacidades internas y contribuye al desarrollo de ciertos sectores de 
la economía.  
4.263.   China y el Ecuador han gozado tradicionalmente de excelentes relaciones, las cuales se 
han fortale cido en los últimos años, convirtiendo a China en un socio estratégico del Ecuador. En 
efecto, el financiamiento ofrecido por China ha permitido llevar adelante obras de infraestructura 
que harán posible alcanzar el cambio de la matriz productiva del Ecuad or. 
4.264.   Las relaciones comerciales entre los dos países son significativas, superando los 
2.000  millones de dólares EE.UU. en el año 2013. Es evidente, sin embargo, un marcado 
desequilibrio en la balanza comercial, a pesar de que los dos últimos años se han re gistrado ciertas 
mejoras en las exportaciones ecuatorianas, particularmente para productos no petroleros. Es por 
ese motivo que reiteramos el interés del Ecuador para explorar mecanismos que permitan 
aprovechar las oportunidades que ofrece el acceso al mer cado chino.  
BÉNIN  
4.265.   Nous sommes unanimes à reconnaître que la République P opulaire de Chine a connu ces 
dernières décennies un développement économique et commercial impressionnants.  
4.266.   En effet, l’examen approfondi de la documentation fournie dans le cadre des  travaux de la 
présente session montre que depuis le dernier Examen de sa politique commerciale en 2012, la 
Chine a maintenu résolument le cap sur une ouverture économique assortie de réformes internes 
ambitieuses, notamment à travers les programmes straté giques dénommés: "Ceinture 
économique de la Route de la soie" et "Route maritime de la soie", qui sont des initiatives visant à 
ouvrir sur le monde extérieur, les régions intérieures et frontalières du pays.  
4.267.   La Chine a poursuivi l’intensification de ses re lations économiques et commerciales avec 
l’extérieur, les activités menées s’inscrivant dans le Système Commercial Multilatéral qui constitue 
un creuset et un outil privilégiés pour la libéralisation du commerce et de l'investissement.  
4.268.   Pour parvenir à cet objectif, des réformes ont été poursuivies sur le plan administratif aux 
fins de l’accélération de la transformation des fonctions gouvernementales et de la simplification 
de l'administration, ainsi que de l’assouplissement des procédures d'enregistrement des 
entreprises; la simplification des procédures douanières, avec comme résultat positif, 
l’accroissement du nombre des Petites et Moyennes entreprises dont les activités ont bénéficié de 
plusieurs autres actions et initiatives dans le sens de la réforme des entreprises d’État et du 
développement du secteur privé.  
4.269.   Il convient également de saluer les réformes entreprises dans le système budgétaire et 
fiscal et dans le domaine des finances avec la libéralisation des taux d'intérêt et le renforcement 
du mécan isme de détermination du taux de change en fonction du marché, ainsi que les initiatives 
prises pour le renforcement du système de sécurité sociale.  
4.270.   Ces efforts du Gouvernement chinois ont eu pour effets bénéfiques d’assurer à la Chine un 
développement éc onomique et commercial stable au cours des deux dernières années avec un 
Produit Intérieur Brut (PIB) qui a connu en 2012 et 2013 une croissance somme toute stable.  
4.271.   En termes d’indicateurs macroéconomiques, il convient de souligner que, dans le domaine 
budgétaire, le Gouvernement chinois a, par une politique volontariste, maintenu en 2012 et 2013, 
le déficit budgétaire à un niveau inférieur à 2,1%.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.272.   En 2012 et 2013, une croissance des niveaux d’importation et d’exportation totale de 
marchandises a été enregi strée, ceux -ci passant à 6,2% et 7,6%, respectivement.  
4.273.   En outre, les Investissements Étrangers Directs (IED) ont augmenté de manière constante, 
ce qui a permis à la Chine de conserver sa place de deuxième pays au plan mondial en termes 
d'attraction de l'IE D mondial. Dans le même temps, l’IED sortant de la Chine a affiché une 
expansion en termes de portée et une solide tendance à la croissance.  
4.274.   Usine du monde et moteur de croissance de l’économie mondiale, la Chine est un acteur 
clé du commerce internationa l et un partenaire majeur dans nos efforts communs, ici à l’OMC, 
pour parvenir à la conclusion des négociations commerciales du Cycle de Doha, et intégrer 
réellement la dimension "développement" dans les résultats des négociations.  
4.275.   La délégation du Bénin s alue la contribution active de la Chine aux travaux de l’OMC, y 
compris son assistance pour le renforcement des capacités productives et d’exportation des Pays 
les Moins Avancés, des pays africains producteurs et exportateurs de coton et des pays co -auteur s 
de l’Initiative Sectorielle en faveur du Coton.  
4.276.   Elle exhorte la Chine à poursuivre dans cette bonne voie.  
TRINIDAD  AND  TOBAGO  
4.277.   Trinidad and Tobago and China enjoy a longstanding diplomatic relationship which spans 
over three decades. This relationship ent ered a new phase in February this year with the opening 
of the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Beijing. Our diplomatic presence in 
Beijing will no doubt strengthen the bond between our two economies, particularly in relation to 
bilateral investment.  
4.278.   This morning, in speaking to the steady growth of China’s outbound Foreign Direct 
Investment (FDI), Minister Wang highlighted China’s commitment to South -South Cooperation. 
Trinidad and Tobago can attest to this commitment, having benefitted fr om a number of economic 
and technical cooperation initiatives with the Government of China. I take advantage of this 
opportunity to refer to one of these initiatives: Trinidad and Tobago is currently working with the 
Government of China in relation to the development and management of six industrial parks and 
economic zones across Trinidad and Tobago.   
4.279.   In speaking to South -South cooperation, my delegation also wishes to acknowledge and 
commend China’s contribution to the WTO Aid for Trade Initiative. As th e WTO Membership is 
aware, aid for trade is of crucial importance to developing countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, 
as we seek to further integrate into the global trading system.   
4.280.   In its Report for this Trade Policy Review, the Government of China sta ted that without 
transformation and upgrading, it will not be able to achieve sustained economic growth. It is with 
this in mind that my delegation took note of Minister WANG’s remarks this morning in which he 
highlighted his Government’s initiatives aimed  at reforming and enhancing China’s fiscal, 
administrative and financial systems to achieve its economic goals.   
4.281.   In terms of its trade and investment regime, my delegation wishes to commend China for 
its efforts at liberalizing its market and we encourage  further opening -up. Trinidad and Tobago 
particularly welcomes the priority the Government of China attaches to the liberalization of its 
Services Sector. A noteworthy initiative in this regard is the establishment of the China (Shanghai) 
Pilot Free Trade Zone, a project aimed at liberalizing trade in services, facilitating trade by 
simplifying customs procedure and simplifying investment procedures. My delegation looks forward 
to further liberalization both inside and outside the free trade zone.  
4.282.   We also t ook note of the Government of China’s initiatives aimed at (i) Agricultural Reform 
and Development; (ii) improving the Intellectual Property Rights protection regulatory 
environment; (iii) enhancing innovation; and (iv) promoting the growth and development  of Small 
and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.283.   I now wish to touch on the issue of transparency, one of the key principles of the 
multilateral trading system, and in this regard, my delegation joins others in calling for greater 
transparency on China’s part in a  number of areas, including with respect to Government support 
programmes. Trinidad and Tobago posed a few questions to China, including questions touching on 
its notification of government subsidies and we look forward to the responses.   
4.284.   As the world’s s econd largest economy, China is among the key players in the WTO. My 
delegation wishes to commend China for its commitment to the multilateral trading system and for 
the leadership it has shown to the advancement and conclusion of the Doha Round Negotiatio ns. 
We look forward to a continuation of this positive engagement.  
4.285.   In conclusion, my delegation congratulates China on its economic achievements to date 
and in doing so, wishes the delegation a successful outcome to its Trade Policy Review.  
NIGERIA  
4.286.   Nigeri a is pleased to note from the Secretariat Report that during the period under review 
(2012 -14), China's economy had experienced stable growth, with real GDP expanding by 7.7% 
annually, in both 2012 and 2013, and forecast of 7.5% for 2014. This is in spite of the recent 
economic meltdown. We also note that the driving force behind the growth was strong domestic 
demand triggered by a policy of fiscal expansion, rising incomes and credit availability as well as 
promotion of consumption expansion through struct ural tax reduction policy.  
4.287.   Nigeria and China have very cordial and robust bilateral trade and economic relationships 
which have been sustained over the years by the mutuality of interests and the friendship of our 
peoples. The volume of economic activities  between the two countries is about US$31 billion with 
trade balance in favour of China. Nigeria and China have signed a number of bilateral agreements 
on trade; economic and technical cooperation; scientific and technological cooperation: investment 
promo tion and protection.  
4.288.   To date, China has set up over 30 solely owned companies or joint ventures in Nigeria that 
are actively involved in the construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, services and education 
sectors of the Nigerian economy. Also, China remai ns a close ally of Nigeria particularly in the 
pursuit of Nigeria's Vision 2020. The involvement of China in the implementation of the 
Transformation Agenda of Government is appreciated and noticeable in a number of social and 
economic infrastructure devel opment projects being supported by Chinese aid and grants. 
Nonetheless, Nigeria is concerned about the flooding of its market with substantard, 
pirated/counterfeited products which has adversely affected its domestic industries, especially the 
textile sect or where majority of the textile mills have closed down with several thousands of 
workers laid -off. We note the continued improvement in China's legislative framework and the 
enforcement of IPR protection, including the promotion of innovation as a develop ment strategy.  
4.289.   Nigeria, therefore, would continue to engage bilaterally with China to address the menace 
of export of substandard, counterfeit and pirated goods to Nigeria taking into account China's 
overall improvements in Intellectual Property Rights.  
4.290.   In conclusion, Nigeria acknowledges the important role of China as a new engine/shaper of 
the world economy and an active Member of the WTO; shares with China the common objectives 
of G20, G33, and the Coalition on TRIPS Issues (W52). We look forward to cont inued collaboration 
as well as constructive and proactive engagement with the delegation of China in Geneva to 
ensure early conclusion of the ongoing Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations based on its 
development mandate as we enter the second phase o f defining a credible work programme by 
December 2014 as mandated by the MC9.  
SAUDI  ARABIA  
4.291.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia commends China for its continued strong economic 
performance during the period under review. China’s GDP grew by over 7.5% annually duri ng both 
2012 and 2013. We also praise China for its continued "stable growth" strategy that it has 
implemented through an active fiscal policy, prudent monetary policy, measures to foster domestic WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 consumption, and economic reforms aimed at promoting a bala nced and sustainable economic 
development.   
4.292.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes China’s primary trade policy objective to accelerate 
its opening up to the outside world. The removal of restrictions to facilitate foreign direct 
investment and initiatives such as the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone also contribute to 
this objective.  
4.293.   Over the last two decades, bilateral trade between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and China 
has increased by over a multiple of 50, from US$1.28 billion in 1990 to US$73.4 billion in 2012. 
During 2012 alone, Saudi -Chinese trade grew by over 14%. With exports of around 1.1 million 
barrels a day, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is China’s largest supplier of crude oil. In 2013, China 
became Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner.  
4.294.   Bilateral investment has also rapidly increased in recent years. Chinese contractors in the 
construction, communication, oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors are present in the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia. Similarly, Saudi companies have invested in major petro chemical and chemical 
projects in China. The total value of Chinese investments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 
estimated at US$18 billion.  
4.295.   While welcoming the reforms undertaken by China over the last two years, the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia would appreci ate further simplification of China’s foreign investment regime and 
wishes to benefit from greater Chinese investment in key sectors of its economy and from 
improved access to the Chinese market.   
4.296.   Despite China’s simplification of customs procedures and c ertification requirements, 
measures adopted only apply to certain enterprises. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia believes that the 
extension of pilot programmes to a greater number of traders would improve and facilitate trade 
with China.   
4.297.   Compared to the previ ous review period, the number of anti -dumping measures imposed 
by China slightly declined. The great majority of these measures concern chemical and plastic 
products. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia invites China to only impose trade remedy measures where 
absolutely necessary.  
4.298.   Since joining the WTO in 2001, China has been one of its prominent Members. It plays an 
active role in the strengthening of the multilateral trading system and regularly confirms its 
commitment to the successful conclusion of negotiation s within the Doha Development Agenda 
(DDA).   
4.299.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looks forward to continuing to work with China and the rest 
of the Membership on the implementation of the decisions adopted in Doha and the adoption of 
the Work Programme to conclud e the DDA.  
SOUTH  AFRICA  
4.300.   Since diplomatic relations were established between our two countries in the nineties, 
China and South Africa have entrenched mutually beneficial relationships across a broad spectrum 
of areas of economic and political endeavour. So uth Africa and China have cultivated strong 
synergies with regard to building regional integration on the African continent, via various 
initiatives such as that of the NEPAD. China and South Africa also share a dedicated commitment 
to infrastructure devel opment in the region.  
4.301.   Under the BRICS umbrella, China and South Africa have strengthened the existing 
synergies between our economies in a mutually beneficial manner and are enhancing our 
collaboration in several multilateral fora, including the WTO. Chin a and South Africa share many 
common perspectives on enhancing South -South cooperation, global economic governance, and a 
commitment to multilateralism, a key deliverable of which is concluding the Doha Development 
round on the basis of its development man date.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.302.   South Africa’s total trade with China has grown dramatically over the past 11 years, 
reflecting a consistent upwards trajectory. China is a critical trading partner for South Africa in 
Asia, ranking as South Africa’s leading and largest export desti nation since 2010, as well as our 
largest source of imports.   
4.303.   South Africa has benefitted from this relationship, exporting primarily resource products to 
China who have provided a major market for the export of these products. Though our export 
basket in  the past has been dominated by commodities and raw materials, we are working 
together to address imbalances in the composition of trade between our two countries, including 
by increasing the export of enhanced value -added products to the Chinese market.  
4.304.   China is a key investment partner for South Africa and the African continent. In 2008, the 
purchase of a considerable stake in one of South Africa’s largest national banks by China’s 
Industrial and Commercial Bank ranked as South Africa’s largest single fo reign investment. Other 
key inward investment sectors have included metals, mining, construction, chemicals and 
automotives. We look forward to continued collaboration and renewed investment in key, high 
growth sectors, such as the renewable and solar ener gy, steel manufacturing, agricultural 
development, agro -processing, automotives, and capital sectors. South African firms too have 
invested heavily in China in recent years in sectors including consumer products, coal, oil and 
natural gas, industrial machi nery, software and IT services.  
4.305.   China is a principal source of Southern Aid to Africa, recognizing that such initiatives are 
crucial for poverty alleviation efforts and development trajectories on the continent at large. China 
has also demonstrated its com mitment to the plight of LDCs by the provision of duty free quota 
free market access in the WTO. Since 1 July 2013, duties on 95% of tariff lines have been lowered 
to zero for imports from LDCs that have diplomatic ties with China.  
4.306.   Importantly, China’s exp erience has demonstrated how a developmental State can strike a 
crucial balance between the role of Government and of the market, in order to simultaneously 
guide and lead the growth and expansion of its productive capacity, developmental strategy and 
assist job creation and poverty reduction policies. South Africa and China have already exchanged 
technical assistance and experience - sharing initiatives in various sectors of mutual interest to 
producers and exporters, and further similar assistance will be crucial in the years ahead.  
4.307.   We welcome China’s positive market -related initiatives over the period of the last review, 
both with regard to trade and investment policy reform as well as efforts to facilitate flows of FDI, 
and additional liberalization meas ures undertaken in the context of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free 
Trade Zone. We continue to encourage further rollout and implementation of these initiatives in 
the years to come.  
HONDURAS  
4.308.   Desde el inicio de las reformas de mercado de 1978, China ha pasad o de una planificación 
centralizada a una economía basada en el mercado y el rápido desarrollo económico y social 
experimentado. Con un 10% de crecimiento promedio anual del PIB ha sacado a más de 
500 millones de personas de la pobreza. Asimismo, todos los  Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio se 
han alcanzado o están en camino de ello.  
4.309.   Notamos con satisfacción en el Informe del Gobierno que en el período objeto de examen, 
la economía china creció de forma estable y llegando a superar las expectativas, con un  
incremento anual del PIB real del 7,7%, tanto en 2012 como en 2013. El motor del crecimiento ha 
sido su fuerte demanda interna, impulsada por una política fiscal expansionista, el aumento de los 
ingresos, y el acceso al crédito. Con una población de 1.3 b illones, China se ha convertido en la 
segunda economía más grande y está jugando un papel cada vez más importante e influyente en 
la economía global.  
4.310.   De igual forma, observamos con agrado que el Gobierno chino ha impulsado y ampliado el 
proceso de apertura  y al mismo tiempo ha profundizado las reformas internas. Con la 
determinación de dar forma a un nuevo tipo de economía abierta y ha empezado a acelerar el 
paso hacia la consecución de nuevas ventajas en la competencia internacional.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.311.   Tal y como lo señala e l Informe del Gobierno, China está en una fase tan crucial que el 
país no podrá lograr un crecimiento económico sostenido sin proceder a una transformación y 
modernización de su economía. Su rápido ascenso económico ha traído muchos retos, como ser la 
rápida urbanización; desafíos a la sostenibilidad del medio ambiente; y la desigualdad entre otros. 
China también se enfrenta a las presiones demográficas relacionadas con el envejecimiento de la 
población y la migración interna de mano de obra.  
4.312.   En consecuenci a, en diciembre 2012, el Gobierno chino formuló el Duodecimo Plan 
Quinquenal 12 (2011 -2015) el cual aborda enérgicamente estas cuestiones. Se destaca el 
desarrollo de los servicios y medidas para hacer frente a los desequilibrios ambientales y sociales, 
el establecimiento de objetivos para reducir la contaminación, aumentar la eficiencia energética, 
mejorar el acceso a la educación y la salud, y para ampliar la protección social. Su objetivo de 
crecimiento anual del 7% señala la intención de centrarse en la  calidad de vida, más que el ritmo 
de crecimiento. De igual forma, para desarrollar el sector de los servicios, planteó como objetivos 
el aumentar la participación del sector en la economía, mejorar su calidad, promover su reforma y 
apertura y aumentar su capacidad de generar puestos de trabajo y atraer empleo.  
4.313.   China es actualmente el principal interlocutor comercial de más de 120 países y regiones, 
y no cabe duda que se ha convertido en uno de los motores más importantes del crecimiento 
económico mundial. Al cierre del año pasado, la balanza comercial entre Honduras y China fue de 
204 millones de dólares EE.UU. Confiamos que el comercio entre Honduras y China se continúe 
fortaleciendo en el futuro.  
CUBA  
4.314.   Es preciso señalar que China ha estado inmersa en un p roceso de adecuación progresiva 
de sus políticas con el objetivo de potenciar la elevación gradual y equitativa del nivel de vida de 
su población. Su integración a la economía mundial ha continuado al alza en alcance y 
profundidad. Hoy participa cada día m ás activamente en los flujos comerciales y financieros a 
escala global. También ha sido capaz de afrontar de manera eficaz la crisis financiera internacional 
y promover un desarrollo económico seguro y relativamente rápido. A su vez, ha profundizado su 
política de reforma y la apertura para estimular la vitalidad del mercado y el desarrollo económico.  
4.315.   Nuestros vínculos económicos y de colaboración con China se iniciaron en 1960, 
prácticamente con el propio establecimiento de las relaciones diplomáticas. Hay  que decir que los 
vínculos económico, comercial, financiero y otros, registraron un incremento sustancial en los 
últimos años.  
4.316.   Las relaciones con China han alcanzado un excelente nivel político, respaldado por un 
importante intercambio de visitas al más alto rango. Muestra de ello son las declaraciones de 
nuestros Cancilleres en ocasión de la visita reciente a nuestro país del Sr. Wang Yi. El Ministro de 
asuntos exteriores de China calificó a Cuba como un amigo confiable, lo cual es un alto honor para 
nosotros. Manifestó además que a pesar de la distancia geográfica, siempre somos buenos amigos, 
compañeros y socios. No obstante, aquí en Ginebra sí estamos muy cerca, aproximadamente cinco 
o seis metros, aunque hoy se ubicaron un poco más lejos por su numero sa delegación.  
4.317.   En esa oportunidad también nuestro Canciller Bruno Rodríguez mencionó las excelentes 
relaciones bilaterales en las áreas culturales, económicas, científicas, académicas y las calificó de 
históricas, tradicionales, de profunda amistad y coope ración.  
4.318.   China ha devenido el principal protagonista como socio comercial y en términos del origen 
y diversidad de las fuentes de financiamiento, tecnologías, suministros e insumos para los 
programas priorizados de Cuba. Por nueve años consecutivos se ha m antenido como el segundo 
socio comercial de Cuba, siendo la segunda nación de origen para las importaciones y uno de los 
principales clientes de las exportaciones cubanas de bienes.  
4.319.   Resaltamos el avance de la cooperación en la esfera de la biotecnología, a través de la 
evolución positiva de dos empresas mixtas radicadas en China, con buenas perspectivas para 
incrementar las ventas en el mercado chino, así como de otros negocios en ejecución. Del mismo 
modo, destacamos la contribución de China en la formaci ón de los recursos humanos en diversos 
campos de interés para Cuba.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.320.   También subrayamos el encomiable esfuerzo de China por cumplir de manera firme y 
decidida sus compromisos en esta Organización, lo cual evidencia la importancia que tiene el 
comercio para  su economía.  
4.321.   La República Popular de China es una inspiración para muchas naciones en desarrollo en la 
OMC, por su defensa al sistema multilateral de comercio y a los intereses y necesidades de 
nuestros países.  
4.322.   Nos sentimos muy satisfechos por la estrec ha colaboración con los Representantes de la 
Misión de China en Ginebra, en los trabajos del Programa de Doha. Esperamos a que los 
resultados positivos que se constatan en la política comercial de este país, se vean compensados 
con la eliminación de las ba rreras que dificultan el acceso de sus productos y servicios en 
condiciones justas y equitativas a los mercados de su interés, en correspondencia a su condición 
de país en desarrollo.  
URUGUAY  
4.323.   Nuestro país ha mantenido y mantiene amistosas y constructivas r elaciones con China a 
los largo de estos 26 años de relaciones diplomáticas. La importancia de este país para Uruguay ha 
crecido en forma exponencial en los últimos años, no sólo por el incremento del peso estratégico 
mundial a nivel político y económico d e China, sino también por los avances en el diálogo bilateral 
a distintos niveles, fundamentalmente en los aspectos políticos, de cooperación, 
económico -comercial y cultural.  
4.324.   Otros aspectos a destacar son los concretos avances en la agenda bilateral, el i ncremento 
de los flujos comerciales, las inversiones chinas en nuestro país, y el muy buen nivel de diálogo y 
coordinación entre ambos países en los planos regional e internacional.  
4.325.   Desde el año pasado, China se convirtió en el principal socio comercial d e Uruguay en 
materia de bienes, y es creciente la participación tanto en nuestras exportaciones como en las 
importaciones. El buen diálogo sanitario y fitosanitario existente permite analizar y acordar 
adecuadamente los temas de esta índole.  
4.326.   Conforme a la s cifras, podemos afirmar que las exportaciones han crecido en el período 
2011-2013 en el entorno de un 30% anual. Nuestros países han sabido aprovechar la 
complementariedad comercial que ha permitido experimentar un desarrollo exponencial en el 
intercambi o comercial en los últimos años.  
4.327.   Respecto de nuestra oferta exportable, se trata principalmente de soja, seguido por pasta 
de celulosa, carne bovina y lana, y apuntamos a añadir cortes de vacuno de alta calidad, lácteos, 
vinos y cueros.  
4.328.   En cuanto a las i mportaciones de Uruguay desde China son principalmente productos 
manufacturados como máquinas, materiales eléctricos y mecánicos, vehículos, autopartes, 
materias plásticas, productos químicos orgánicos, prendas de vestir, y otros productos 
industrializados .  
4.329.   Los vínculos con China se consideran como prioritarios y resultan de gran importancia en 
el contexto y los objetivos trazados por Uruguay. Nuestra intención es reforzarlos, en particular, 
generando espacios de trabajo y coordinación en áreas tales como infraestructura, medio 
ambiente, agricultura, ciencia y tecnología, servicios comerciales y de software, logística y sector 
audiovisual.    
4.330.   Como comentario final, señalar el interés de ambos países por aunar esfuerzos para la 
finalización exitosa de la Ron da de Doha para el Desarrollo, así como el fortalecimiento del sistema 
multilateral de comercio basado en normas previsibles, transparentes y equilibradas.  
ZIMBABWE  
4.331.   Our delegation is happy to note with appreciation the progress made by China in all 
spheres  of economic operations. China achieved an annual GDP growth rate of 7.7% in 2012 and WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 2013. This was driven by a strong domestic demand triggered by a policy of fiscal expansion, 
rising incomes and availability of credit. This growth momentum has also cont ributed positively to 
global economic growth.  
4.332.   We commend China for becoming the world's largest merchandise trader and for playing a 
major role in the Multilateral Trading System. During the period under review, both exports and 
imports of goods expanded rapidly, with exports totalling US$2.21 trillion and imports amounting 
to US$1.95 trillion in 2013.This is 40% higher than in 2010. Let me congratulate China for 
achieving this remarkable mark within a relatively short period of about 13 years of participa tion in 
the multilateral trading system. Thus, China is a growth engine for the global economy, fuelling 
global expansion through high output and trading relationships with other nations. The country’s 
policies therefore undoubtedly draw interest from the majority of the WTO Membership.  
4.333.   We welcome China’s strategy to implement a new round of economic reforms that have 
brought forth further economic liberalization and have culminated into the new China Pilot Free 
Trade Zone.  
4.334.   Let me share some brief insights on the bilateral cooperation programmes that exist 
between Zimbabwe and China.  
4.335.   Zimbabwe and China enjoy a long history of cordial relations, both on the economic and 
political fronts. The bilateral engagements remain large and continue to grow.  
4.336.   The emergin g economic powerhouse, China, is the central focus of Zimbabwe’s Look East 
Policy which was adopted in early 2000 as an export market diversification strategy to 
non-traditional markets such as South East Asia, the Middle East and the Far East. This was 
necessitated by the fact that countries in these regions have expanding, diversified and 
technologically sophisticated industrial bases that Zimbabwe could tap into, given our quest to 
industrialize, particularly in value -added activities.  
4.337.   China has emerged  as Zimbabwe’s major source of imports for machinery and 
manufactured goods in the last decade. It is one of the biggest importer of Zimbabwean tobacco 
and minerals.  
4.338.   China is our third largest trading partner and trade between Zimbabwe and China has 
surge d over the past decade. Total trade stood at US$127.8 million in 2000 and soared to 
US$1.101billion in 2013. However, Zimbabwe’s exports are rising on a slow pace due to the 
continued export of raw and semi -finished goods. Zimbabwe is therefore looking upo n Chinese 
investment and expertise to re -capacitate and retool its manufacturing sector so as to enhance 
capacity to produce for both the local and export markets.  
4.339.   Zimbabwe is one of the beneficiaries of China’s various trade promotion activities. The 
country has been participating at the annual China International Fairs for Investment and Trade 
(CIFIT) and other trade and investment promotion expositions since 2006. In return, Chinese 
companies exhibit at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair every year.   
4.340.   In terms of investment, Zimbabwe received FDI worth US$601.70 million in 2013 as 
compared to US$204.64 million in 2012 from China. The increase shows Chinese confidence in 
Zimbabwe as a viable investment destination.  
4.341.   We greatly appreciate China's suppor t in availing lines of credit to Zimbabwean companies 
and provision of technical assistance and capacity building to a large number of Zimbabwean 
officials.  
4.342.   Chinese investment has increased significantly over the years particularly in the mining 
and agricu ltural sectors even though Zimbabwe lags behind other African countries. Some of the 
biggest Chinese investments in Zimbabwe include joint ventures in mining, cotton and cement 
production, chrome and coal processing, hydro and solar power generation, touri sm and 
infrastructure development .  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.343.   Zimbabwe is benefitting from the framework of the Forum for Africa -China Cooperation 
(FOCAC) where China pledged to support infrastructural development in Africa among other areas. 
A total of US$160 million has been all ocated to the upgrading of the international and domestic 
airports in Zimbabwe.  
4.344.   I could go on and on because there is a lot that is happening in terms of bilateral 
cooperation between our two countries. At this juncture, let me to conclude by wishing the C hinese 
delegation a successful and fruitful Trade Policy Review. We look forward to greater economic 
cooperation with China.  
BARBADOS  
4.345.   Since its last review in 2012, the China’s economy has experienced stable economic 
growth assisted mainly by strong domest ic demand which was prompted by expansionary fiscal 
policy, rising incomes and enhanced access to credit. As a result, real GDP growth over the review 
period (2012 -14) expanded by 7.7% in 2012 and 2013.  
4.346.   The Secretariat’s Report has revealed that since its last review, China has become the 
world's largest trader (excluding intra -EU trade). This has largely been attributed to the 
considerable increases in China’s imports and exports. In 2013, China’s exports amounted to 
US$2.21 trillion, a 40% increase over i ts 2010 export figure and imports amounted to 
US$1.95  trillion, a 39.6% increase over its 2011 import figure. In this regard, my delegation 
contends that this positive revelation is indicative of the critical part that China continues to play in 
shaping gl obal economic and trading economy and congratulates the Government of China on this 
accomplishment.  
4.347.   We note the establishment of the National Leading Group for Comprehensive Deepening 
Reform which has been charged with developing a strategy to deepen econo mic reform through, 
among other things, allowing the market to play a more significant role in the allocation of 
resources, reforming state -owned entities, and encouraging private ownership. We also note the 
establishment of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free  Trade Zone (CSPFTZ) which is aimed at realizing 
the benefits of investment, trade and financial services reform. In particular, my delegation notes 
the significant efforts that China has undertaken and has planned to undertake to increase its 
share of inw ard and outward foreign direct investment. We commend the Government of China on 
its initiatives to foster economic and financial reform and wish them well in the implementation of 
these initiatives.   
4.348.   China continues to exhibit its commitment to the multi lateral trading system through its 
participation in the various facets of the WTO work, including particularly, through its support for 
advancing the development interests of LDCs and developing countries including SVEs. We 
therefore welcome their continue d interaction and support in the WTO.  
4.349.   Barbados and China developed bilateral relations in 1977 and China continues to be an 
important partner for Barbados. Through these bilateral relations, we have been actively engaged 
on a range of issues for further co operation and the Government of Barbados looks forward to this 
continuous dialogue with China.  
REPÚBLICA  DOMINICANA  
4.350.   En este quinto Examen de su política comercial, deseamos felicitar a la República Popular 
de China ya que nuevamente vemos cifras impresiona ntes, sobre todo dado la crisis financiera y 
económica mundial, que indican que durante el período objeto de examen (2012 -2014) la 
economía de China creció de forma estable, con un aumento anual del PIB real del 7,7% en 2012 
y 2013 y, según las previsiones , del 7,5% en 2014. Este crecimiento está basado en la demanda 
interna, en particular del sector privado, todo esto con un déficit fiscal moderado que se sitúo en el 
1,7% del PIB en 2012 y, según las estimaciones, en el 1,9% del PIB en 2013. También en un nivel 
moderado se encuentra la deuda del Gobierno Central, 14,9% del PIB en 2012, y la deuda pública 
total en un 39,4% del PIB a finales de 2012 si lo comparamos con las cifras de las economías de 
los países desarrollados. Nos complace ver que, según indic a el Informe de la Secretaría de la 
OMC, China sigue fomentando la participación del sector privado en la economía, y el número de 
empresas privadas y empresas familiares industriales y comerciales ha venido aumentando.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.351.   Felicitamos a China y vemos con much o interés los pasos que ha dado para la 
liberalización en el sector de los servicios, con el proyecto para la creación de la Zona Franca 
Experimental (Shanghái) de China (CSPFTZ), aprobado en agosto del 2013, proyecto piloto que 
servirá como modelo para la  ulterior liberalización del comercio de servicios y de las transacciones 
por cuenta de capital, y que tiene por objeto facilitar el comercio al simplificarse en ella los 
procedimientos aduaneros y permitirse el despacho de las mercancías en el puerto. Asi mismo, 
China ha adoptado medidas destinadas a liberalizar gradualmente el suministro de servicios fuera 
de esta zona, en particular en el sector de las telecomunicaciones, los servicios financieros y en el 
sector del transporte aéreo.  
4.352.   En al área de comerci o de bienes, China ha continuado aplicando medidas de facilitación 
del comercio, aplicando una serie de reformas que incluyen el establecimiento de procedimientos 
de despacho de aduana sin documentación impresa. Los aranceles NMF aplicados por China siguen  
siendo muy bajos, su promedio se sitúa aproximadamente en 9,4%.  
4.353.   También vemos muy positivo que durante el período objeto de examen, China empezó a 
aplicar las disposiciones relativas a la política de competencia adoptadas en el curso del anterior 
examen c on el objetivo de combatir las prácticas monopolísticas a medida que se liberaliza la 
economía. Asimismo, China siguió aplicando medidas encaminadas a mejorar su marco normativo 
de protección de los derechos de propiedad intelectual mediante modificaciones  de las leyes y 
reglamentos, así como de las normas departamentales.  
4.354.   Para terminar, solo nos queda exhortar a China para que continúe con su proceso de 
reformas encaminado a la apertura comercial.  
RÉPUBLIQUE  DE GUINÉE  
4.355.   La République de Guinée se félicite d es progrès accomplis par la Chine depuis son dernier 
Examen de politique commerciale en 2012.  
4.356.   Ces progrès constituent pour la Guinée le gage de la détermination indéfectible de la Chine 
en faveur du raffermissement de son processus de libéralisation et de la mise en œuvre de ses 
engagements au sein de l'Organisation mondiale du commerce.  
4.357.   La République de Guinée et la Chine ont une longue tradition d'amitié, de coopération et 
d'échanges datant de la période de l'accession de mon pays à sa souveraineté nation ale en 1958. 
C'est donc en 1959 que nos deux Gouvernements ont établi les relations diplomatiques.  
4.358.   La Commission mixte Sino -guinéenne constitue la plate -forme privilégiée de régulation des 
échanges économiques entre nos deux pays. Ces relations sont régies  par une série d'accords qui 
constituent son cadre juridique.  
4.359.   Ces accords concernent les secteurs de la santé, de l'agriculture, de l'éducation, de 
l'énergie, de la communication et de l'information, des mines et de la culture.  
4.360.   Elle permet également de pas ser en revue plusieurs questions, notamment l'évaluation des 
échanges commerciaux bilatéraux, l'échange d'informations sur les réformes introduites sur la 
législation en matière de commerce extérieur dans nos deux pays.  
4.361.   Les relations entre la Chine et la G uinée couvrent plusieurs domaines dont le commerce, 
l'investissement et l'aide.  
4.362.   Sur le plan commercial, la Chine figure parmi les principaux marchés d'approvisionnement 
de la République de Guinée en termes de produits manufacturés avec un volume des import ations 
guinéennes dépassant nettement ceux de ses exportations vers la Chine.  
4.363.   C'est pourquoi en tant que PMA, nous accueillons avec satisfaction les opportunités d'accès 
au marché qu'offre la Chine à nos pays dans le cadre de l'OMC et l'exhortons à accompa gner cet 
accès au marché avec des mesures de règles d'origine plus souple, afin de nous permettre 
d'accéder concrètement au marché chinois.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 4.364.   S'agissant des investissements étrangers directs, les flux d'investissements directs 
étrangers de la Chine intervien nent dans les secteurs de la construction et des infrastructures de 
base, dont les hôpitaux, les logements sociaux, les routes, ponts et chaussées, ainsi que des 
barrages hydroélectriques, pour ne citer que ces quelques exemples.  
4.365.   Une des plus grandes réali sations de la Chine en République de Guinée est la construction 
du barrage hydroélectrique de Kaléta d'une capacité de 240mw dont l'achèvement des travaux est 
prévu pour 2015. Cette construction permettra au Gouvernement guinéen de juguler le problème 
de déficit énergétique auquel il fait face depuis de nombreuses années et qui va permettre 
d'amorcer la base industrielle de la République de Guinée.  
4.366.   Comme vous le savez, la République de Guinée regorge d'énormes ressources minières, 
mais a un manque criard de  ressources financières pour créer les infrastructures de base.  
4.367.   C'est pourquoi les Gouvernements guinéens et chinois ont mis en place un cadre de 
partenariat stratégique gagnant -gagnant et qui découlent du forum sino -africain de 2006.  
4.368.   S'agissant de l'aide,  la Chine apporte son appui financier et matériel dans les domaines, 
entre autres, de la santé et de l'agriculture.  
4.369.   Il faut souligner également la présence en Guinée de nombreux groupes privés chinois 
opérant dans divers domaines d'activités, notamment dan s le secteur des banques, la distribution, 
les infrastructures, les mines et le transport aérien, qui sont sources de création d'emplois en 
Guinée.  
4.370.   Mais, au -delà de ce tableau somme toute encourageant, faut -il relever pour le regretter 
que ces échanges ne reflètent pas les immenses possibilités offertes par les deux pays car ces 
échanges demeurent peu diversifiés et restent concentrés sur quelques produits traditionnels.  
4.371.   C'est pourquoi la République de Guinée invite la République populaire de la Chine à 
examiner avec elle les voies et moyens nécessaires à une expansion et à une diversification plus 
substantielles des relations économiques et commerciales entre les deux pays afin de les hisser au 
niveau des relations politiques qui ont toujours prévalu entre eux. 
4.372.   Dans cette optique, il va s'en dire que la redynamisation des relations économiques et 
commerciales entre la Chine et la Guinée s'inscrivent en droite ligne dans la dynamique de la 
consolidation de la coopération sud -sud en vue de relever les défis de  mondialisation.  
4.373.   Pour terminer, la République de Guinée invite les Membres de l'OMC à encourager la Chine 
dans ses efforts de libéralisation et de mise en œuvre de ses engagements souscrits dans le cadre 
de l'OMC.  
ISRAEL  
4.374.   China is the second largest economy  in the world and an important economic partner with 
whom we have been taking steps to enhancing our trade relations.  
4.375.   Israel acknowledges the efforts undertaken by the Government of China to roll over a host 
of policies in support of a significant economic  reform to achieve an ever liberal trading and 
investment regime in China.  
4.376.   For this exercise, although we have not submitted questions in advance, there are a few 
areas of particular interest where we would be interested in receiving further information fr om 
China. We note that most of our concerns have already been raised by other Members during this 
TPR exercise, and for these, we will review China’s replies carefully.  
4.377.   We will however outline briefly some of our concerns hereafter:  
4.378.   We have noted that Chi na's trade and investment policy is managed through a number of 
legal instruments, including Central Government’s Five -Year Plans and sectorial and provincial 
Five-Year Plans among others. As some others have pointed out, we have also found that these WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 often overlap and occasionally even reflect conflicting views. These matters are further 
complicated by the large number of internal administrative measures that are not easily 
identifiable, and are often available only in Chinese language. We believe that imp rovements in 
these areas would go a long way to increase trade and investment relations with China.  
4.379.   Regarding Customs procedures, we believe that the implementation of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement will have a positive effect in China’s customs procedur es. As for now, 
identifying and interpreting the procedures and regulations set by AQSIQ, local CIQ and other 
bodies have proven to be a challenge for our companies. Israel would like to know if China intends 
to implement changes to improve the clarity of these procedures and regulations.  
4.380.   On IPRs, we would like to note the recent establishment of the "National Crackdown on 
intellectual property infringements and faked commodities leading working group" in MOFCOM. We 
would be interested in knowing more about  the enforcement and supervisory mechanism.  
4.381.   On standards, we note that the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) under 
AQSIQ continues to administrate the standardization system in China. However, several other 
ministries and governmental bodies ha ve the mandate to set industrial standards and voluntary 
ones, or are involved in the process in other ways. In this regard, we would like to understand 
better whether SAC holds the sole responsibility of standards in China, or whether other units of 
the G overnment have a mandate to develop standards at various levels.  
4.382.   Our business operators have noted that China's SPS regulatory system is fragmented 
across different Government agencies. Currently, the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of 
Agriculture ( MOA), AQSIQ, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), MOFCOM, 
and the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA), among others, are actively involved in 
regulating the SPS regime. This fragmentation of the SPS regulatory system presents a challenge 
for our exporters to understand and comply with. Some Members have pointed out that this 
fragmentation also poses a challenge in terms of accountability - with food safety implications in 
some cases.  
4.383.   Overall, we would like to take this opportunit y to thank the Government of China and the 
Secretariat for their Reports, and also the discussant, Ambassador Joakim Reiter, for his valuable 
comments which we will continue to study in further detail. Israel once again congratulates and 
wishes China a ver y successful fifth Trade Policy Review. We are looking forward to continue 
mutually beneficial and prosperous relations for many years to come.  
NEPAL  
4.384.   Ever since China joined the WTO in December 2001, it has been a staunch supporter of the 
multilateral tra ding system. China's commitment to implementing its WTO obligations in a 
transparent and time bound manner is commendable. As the largest trader in the present world, 
China has a crucial role to play in strengthening and further promoting the multilateral trading 
system in the days to come. The delegation of Nepal wishes to extend its appreciation to its 
Chinese counterparts for their active, constructive and solution -oriented engagement at the 
various forums in the WTO.  
4.385.   Both the Reports prepared by the Gov ernment of China and the WTO Secretariat for this 
review summarize features of major reforms undertaken by the PRC in the field of economic 
management since 2012 when China underwent its 4th Trade Policy Review. The reports reveal 
that following the impact s of the global economic crises, the last two years remained a turbulent 
period for China to advance its economy in a desired way. However, the proactive fiscal policy, 
coupled with prudent monetary instruments and other structural adjustment measures adop ted 
during this period helped China to get back its economy on track from encountering any further 
derailment. It is worthwhile to note that China continued its reforms and, through adopting 
prudent policies and further opening up of its market, succeeded to secure 7.7% economic growth 
for the last two consecutive years.  
4.386.   As the second largest and strongly emerging economy, policies and practices introduced by 
China exerts enormous influence not only on its domestic market but also in the operation and 
maint enance of global trade. Indeed, China's liberalization and economic reform endeavours have WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 had global effects. In this context, the policy reforms embraced by the country during the period 
under review are not only consistent with the principles of the mul tilateral trading system, but also 
prudent, effective and supportive to accelerating economic growth. China's trade -led growth has 
been a matter of great inspiration to developing and LDC members.  
4.387.   It is encouraging to note that during the review period, Ch ina's merchandise trade 
continued to grow and its global market share further increased. China's exports accounted for 
11.8% of the global merchandise export in 2013, and the country ranked first in the world for four 
consecutive years. China's imports amo unted to 10.3% of the global total, and ranked second in 
the world for four consecutive years. In 2013, China became the world's largest trading country in 
goods. It is equally encouraging that since June 2012 China has further opened up its services and 
manufacturing sectors.  
4.388.   During the last two years, China made significant efforts to adjust its economic structure, 
deepen the reform in a comprehensive fashion, and push forward proactively a new round of 
opening up. It managed to accomplish challenging tas k of securing a stable development of 
national economy, and at the same time important contributions to the recovery and development 
of the world economy. For this, it deserves special appreciation.  
4.389.   China has always remained positive on LDCs' issues and co ncerns in the WTO. It has put 
forth several initiatives targeted to facilitate LDCs' exports. China's DFQF scheme has supported 
LDCs to enhance their export to the Chinese market. "China's LDCs and Accessions Program" 
which was established in 2011 has help ed the LDCs effectively participate in and benefit from the 
multilateral trading system and accelerate the accession process of incoming LDCs. During the 
MC9, China announced to provide further assistance to cotton 4 LDCs from Africa which is a 
welcome mat ter. 
4.390.   China is Nepal's closest neighbour and we enjoy excellent friendship. We have had age -old 
cultural and trade relations. In the collective pursuit of fostering trade and economic relations, 
Nepal and China signed "Trade and Payments Agreement" in Novem ber 1981 and an Agreement 
for regulating trade and related matters between Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region of China in 
July 2002. Further, with a view to promoting bilateral trade and economic cooperation, an 
Agreement on Transportation was signed betwee n Nepal and China in May 1994.  
4.391.   China has been one of the strong supporters of Nepal's development endeavours. It is the 
largest investor in Nepal and its investment is growing over the years in the form of FDI which has 
propelled both industrialization and  employment generation. Nepal has been one of the 
beneficiaries of China's Preferential Tariff Scheme which the latter offers to the products of all 
LDCs with whom it has bilateral relations. China has provided zero -tariff entry to 7,787 items for 
Nepal, h owever, due to supply side constraints the utilization rate is not that much high as 
desired.  
4.392.   China is Nepal's important trading partner occupying 10.5% share in its total trade. It is 
the second largest importing country for Nepal and fourth largest desti nation market for Nepalese 
export. The trade between Nepal and China both in terms of value and volume has been growing 
over the years. The strengthened trade relations between the two countries are reflected in 
increased transaction of goods and services benefitting the peoples living across the border. 
However, widening gap between import and export and consequent trade imbalance on Nepal's 
side is a worrisome matter for it as a small economy. This needs to be mutually corrected in order 
to make our bilat eral trade sustainable in the long run.  
4.393.   Finally, we believe that China would continue and further expand its trade liberalization 
process giving due consideration to LDCs' concerns and interests. Let's hope that the LDCs would 
have more flexibility in acce ssing the Chinese market both in trade in goods and services in the 
future. Besides, we believe that China would accord its full support to implement the LDCs Specific 
Bali outcome and make them binding especially those relating to DFQF, preferential rules  of origin, 
services waiver and cotton. We also hope China would further enhance its existing technical and 
financial assistance to all LDCs to build their trade capacity and help them better integrated into 
the multilateral trading system.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 ANTIGUA  AND  BARBUDA  ON BEHALF  OF THE OECS -WTO  MEMBERS  
4.394.   As the Reports and other Members before me have noted, China has continued to grow as 
an economy, as a global trader and investor, thus becoming a key player and influencer within 
regional and global spheres.  
4.395.   We comm end the Government of China for its achievements. As China continues to grow, 
emerging as a major economic power, it remains a developing country facing a number of 
challenges which no doubt it will gradually overcome as it continues on its growth trajecto ry. 
4.396.   Even though our delegations are among the smallest and most vulnerable Members of the 
WTO, there is much that we share with China as Members of the WTO and the multilateral trading 
system. We commend China for the progress that it has made in its effor ts to comply with its 
obligations under the various WTO Agreements. We wish to encourage its continuation on the 
spot.  
4.397.   We would also like to extent gratitude to China for its support shown to one of our 
delegation, Antigua and Barbuda, and its efforts to obtain satisfactory and meaningful conclusion 
to its ongoing lengthy online gaming dispute within the context of the DSB.  
4.398.   We also share China's commitments to the enforcement and conclusion of the DDA 
negotiations. We commend China for the role it has play ed thus far in the negotiations, including 
the support it has shown and demonstrated for the interests and concerns of small and vulnerable 
economies like the OECS. We have and will continue to look to China in collaboration with other 
major players to dem onstrate the leadership in bringing the DDA to a successful conclusion.  
4.399.   Aid for trade is very important for our delegations and we note and thank China for its 
commitment and response to the Aid For Trade Initiative. We also commend China for its growing 
role in South -South cooperation, particularly in advocating and participating in international 
development cooperation and in providing economic and technical assistance.  
4.400.   Our delegations over the years have been beneficiaries of China's generosity and 
assistance both at the bilateral and regional levels, for them we remain very grateful.  
OMAN  
4.401.   The Sultanate of Oman enjoys excellent political, economic and trade relations with China. 
The world -famous Maritime Silk Route closely connected the two nations as e arly as the 6th 
century A.D. Our mutual trade has grown manifolds and China is now one of the major trading 
partners of Oman. We foresee further expansion and deepening in our economic and trade 
relations in the coming years.  
4.402.   The delegation of Oman congrat ulates China on its impressive economic achievements 
despite the many challenges. The GDP growth rate of China has been more than 7% in the past 
three years and is forecast to remain above 7% in the current year. The rate of inflation has 
slowed in recent years and is estimated to be below 5%. The level of savings and investment are 
close to 50% of GDP. These figures attest to the remarkable success of China’s economic policy.   
4.403.   We are happy to note that China has become the largest trader in the world with  its trade, 
exports and imports, at more than US$4 trillion. It has also become a magnet for foreign direct 
investment which reached US$117 billion in 2013.  
4.404.   We note with satisfaction that China’s average applied MFN tariff rate was 9.4% in 2013, 
with the r ate for non -agricultural products at 8.6%.  
4.405.   The delegation of Oman highly appreciates China’s resolve to firmly appose protectionism, 
and to develop its economic and trade relations with various countries based on the principle of 
mutual benefit. We commend  China for its support to the leading role of the WTO and its backing 
for the successful conclusion of Doha Round negotiations.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 GUATEMALA  
4.406.   Guatemala felicita a China por su empeño económico y su crecimiento del PIB fue más del 
7% cada año.  
4.407.   Por las medidas implementadas que les ha permitido reducir la brecha en un 2,8% entre el 
consumo, ahorro e inversión, generando un mayor equilibrio.  
4.408.   En los últimos años, han incrementado sus exportaciones e importaciones; en la atracción 
de inversión extranjera directa, h an trabajado en eliminar las restricciones permitiendo un mayor 
desarrollo al sector.  
4.409.   La implementación de sus reformas estructurales para promover la participación privada 
en la economía ha generado un incremento en la constitución de empresas privadas y familiares.  
4.410.   Nos congratulamos de los avances de China en la observancia de los derechos de 
propiedad intelectual con la modificación a la Ley de marcas de fábrica o de comercio que tomó 
vigencia en mayo de este año.  
4.411.   Así como el proceso de reforma de su pol ítica comercial para crear un sistema de mercado 
unificado y abierto a la competencia que será de gran importancia para el desarrollo y la economía 
del país.  
4.412.   Para concluir, Guatemala desea a China éxito durante este Examen así como la aplicación 
de sus pol íticas económicas y comerciales para que continúen cosechando éxitos en cuanto a su 
crecimiento económico.  
ZAMBIA  
4.413.   China’s Trade Policy Review provides important lessons of success in the implementation of 
trade policies in the context of the multilateral t rading system. More specifically, the development, 
in an all - round way, its foreign economic and trade relations, the recognition of the central role of 
the multilateral trading system in trade and investment liberalization and support for mutually 
enforc ed development and cooperation through bilateral, regional and sub -regional and 
multilateral channels.  
4.414.   My delegation would like to thank the delegation of the People's Republic of China for steps 
taken in facilitating market access to least developed coun tries and wishes to call upon the 
People's Republic of China to continue improving the terms of its preferential scheme by not only 
taking into account products of export interest to LDCs and but also reforming the rules of origin 
accompanying such schemes  in order to facilitate real market access.  
4.415.   Zambia welcomes China’s commitment to continue being a staunch player in promoting 
economic globalization, undertaking trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, 
formulating international rules, safegu arding common interests of the international communities 
and building a harmonious world.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 5  REPLIES BY THE REPRE SENTATIVE OF CHINA A ND ADDITIONAL COMMEN TS 
5.1.  Before I respond to the questions and comments made by Members in the first session of the 
review, I w ish to say a few words on our work regarding written questions from Members.  
5.2.  We received some more questions in the last two days and we thank Members for their 
interest in China's trade policies and regime. Altogether there are more than 1,700 questions f rom 
31 Members. While my team has made their utmost efforts to submit answers to more than 
1,400  questions including those coming after 17 June, there may be a few left unanswered in the 
lists submitted before 17 June either because more consultations are needed or because the 
translation from Spanish needs a double -check. I hope Members could understand our heavy 
workload and difficulties we are facing. For those unanswered questions and other follow -up ones, 
I promise you that we will provide response wit hin one month after today's meeting.  
5.3.  At the meeting on 1 July, Members and our distinguished discussant Ambassador Reiter, 
presented constructive views and comments on China's economic and trade policy development 
since the last review. On behalf of the De legation of China, I would like to thank Members and 
Ambassador Reiter for their very valuable contributions.  
5.4.  Now, I would like to make responses and clarifications with regard to certain issues and 
concerns raised by Members in the first session.  
5.5.  With reg ard to the relationship between the Government and the market, the new Chinese 
leadership has made decision to comprehensively deepen the reform. This includes reducing 
Government interventions in the market. In my statement two days ago, I said that China  has 
abolished and delegated a large number of items previously subject to administrative examination 
and approval. This is a specific step that China has taken to reduce Government interventions in 
the market. At present, China's labour cost is completely  determined by the market, land use 
rights are transferred through auctions, and lending rates are no longer under regulation. As the 
reform moves forward, deposit interest rates will also be further liberalized. The market has 
already played a decisive ro le for the prices of factors of production including capital, labour and 
land.  
5.6.  Regarding development plans and industrial policies as well as SOEs, the plans and policies 
are blueprints for economic, social and industrial development. They map out develop ment 
targets, serve as guiding principles, and treat all entities in an open, fair and equitable manner 
regardless of the ownership. There are no supports or subsidies specifically for SOEs in these plans 
and policies. As early as the 1990s, the Government  of China abolished specific subsidies for SOEs 
through the reform of fiscal and taxation system. The differences in the credit lines and lending 
rates are not the result of special policies for the SOEs. Rather, they are independent business 
decisions by commercial banks based on their own evaluation of risks. The Secretariat Report at 
one point mentioned that SOEs account for two thirds of China's total export. This figure has been 
quoted for several times. However, this figure is wrong. The share of SOEs  in China's total import 
and export has declined from 21% in 2011 to 18% in 2013. I express my regret over the 
misunderstanding caused by this figure.  
5.7.  As regards whether or not SOEs are exempt from the Antitrust Law, I would like to give you 
an example. In  2011, China National Development and Reform Commission launched an 
investigation into China Telecom, a large SOE, for refusing a business deal with China Tietong in a 
disguised form through overcharging. Investigation was also conducted on the price discr imination 
imposed on Internet Service Providers by the internet infrastructure network providers in China — 
China Telecom and China Unicom, two very large SOEs. As suggested in the result of the 
investigation, the failure of these two SOEs to fulfil interc onnection obligation has led to the lack of 
market competition. By the end of 2011, the two SOEs, namely both China Telecom and China 
Unicom had submitted applications to suspend the investigation, and promised to make 
rectifications of their business beha viours. At the moment, assessment is being held on whether 
these two companies have fully fulfilled their commitments, and whether relevant rectification 
measures adopted by them have eliminated the consequences of suspected monopolistic conduct. 
This case  has demonstrated that the enforcement of China's Antitrust Law is non -discriminatory 
against ownership.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 5.8.  Regarding subsidy notification, China submitted in 2012 the subsidy notification for 2005 to 
2008. We are now working on the notification for following  years. Since subsidies involve many 
government agencies at various levels, it is a huge amount of work to collect information, sort out 
the relationship between different policies, and do analysis against the SCM Agreement. It is 
therefore fair to say tha t subsidy notification is the most challenging task for China in fulfilling its 
WTO notification obligations. However, China will not take it as an excuse for refusing the 
notification obligation. We will step up efforts domestically so that the third subs idy notification will 
be provided as early as we can. The same is true of the domestic support notification under the 
Agriculture Agreement. We are now working on technical issues such as data accuracy verification 
and will make all efforts to submit it at  an early date.  
5.9.  In respect of further opening -up of the Chinese market, based on the decision to 
comprehensively deepen the reform adopted at the 3rd Plenum of the 18th CPC Central 
Committee, the Government of China is making relentless efforts in further opening up key 
services sectors and relaxing access restrictions on foreign investment.  
5.10.   In service sectors to be specific, in early 2014 the Government of China issued the 
Regulations on Administration of Foreign Investment in Road Transport, delegating pr oject 
approval authority to competent transport departments at the provincial level. A Notice on 
Carrying out Pilot Project for Wholly Foreign -Owned Hospitals will also be issued soon. In this 
respect, pilot projects will be launched in seven provinces and  municipalities including Beijing and 
Shanghai. Furthermore, China is studying how to further relax market access restrictions on 
value -added telecommunication services related to e -commerce in a wider area and gradually 
remove the cap on foreign equity sh are. 
5.11.   In terms of investment, China is vigorously pressing ahead with the reform of foreign 
investment regime by narrowing the verification scope and delegating verification authority. The 
China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone is exploring a new foreign in vestment regime based on the 
approach of pre -establishment national treatment plus negative list. Such an approach will also be 
introduced to the Bilateral Investment Treaties being negotiated at the moment between China 
and the US and between China and th e EU. Just two days ago, the Special Administrative 
Measures for Foreign Investment Access (Negative List 2014) in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free 
Trade Zone was published. The number of special administrative measures has been reduced by 
26.8%.  
5.12.   The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone is exploring new approaches and accumulating 
new experiences for comprehensively deepening reform and further opening up, and endeavouring 
to form a replicable model. Relevant experiences of the Pilot Free Trade Zone as wel l as the 
specific measures that have been proven effective will be rolled out nationwide at appropriate 
time. 
5.13.   Furthermore, the Government of China has come up with the strategies of "Silk Road 
Economic Belt" and "Maritime Silk Road", to promote the opening  up of inland and border areas as 
well as balanced development among different regions.  
5.14.   As regards the unified release and translation of laws, regulations and other measures, the 
China Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Gazette is edited and published  by the Ministry of 
Commerce (MOFCOM). The Government of China designated the Gazette as the official publication 
to collect laws, regulations, rules and other measures in relation to or affecting trade in goods, 
trade in services, trade -related IPR or for eign exchange regulation. Between 2002 and 2014, 
altogether 923 editions of Gazette have been published, containing 5266 documents (including 
196 drafts soliciting public opinions).  
5.15.   At present, the institutional arrangements have been set up for the transl ation of laws, 
regulations and other measures, and relevant work is moving ahead step by step. The English 
Edition of the Laws of the People's Republic of China is published by the Legislative Affairs 
Commission of the National People's Congress on a regul ar basis, while the Legislative Affairs 
Office of the State Council promulgates periodically the Laws and regulations of the People's 
Republic of China governing foreign -related matters in both Chinese and English. On 
24 February  2003, the General Office o f the State Council issued the Notice on Enhancing the 
Verification of Official English Translation of Administrative Regulations, requiring government WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 agencies at all levels to enhance efforts in the verification of official English translation of 
adminis trative regulations based on the requirement in the notice.  
5.16.   We have taken note of opinions and suggestions from Members, and will strive for 
improving the work relating to the Gazette and translation of laws and regulations according to 
China's Accession P rotocol in order to enhance transparency of trade policies.  
5.17.   With respect to the alleged use of trade remedy in a retaliatory manner, we found this 
concern form certain WTO Members to be unwarranted. Up to now, all the anti -dumping and 
countervailing inves tigations have been initiated on the basis of duly substantiated claims by the 
petitioners. Like other WTO Members, China's investigation authority is under the obligation to 
accept petitions that contain sufficient prima facie evidence and carries out the  investigations in 
accordance with its own domestic legislation and WTO rules.  
5.18.   China has been a prudent and restrained user of trade remedy measures. According to the 
statistics of the WTO, from China's accession to the WTO to the end of 2013, China initi ated less 
than 200 anti -dumping investigations and 7 countervailing investigations, while more than 
700 anti-dumping investigations and 76 countervailing investigation were initiated against China in 
the same period of time. If China had indeed used trade remedy in a retaliatory manner as certain 
Members suggested, China would have much more initiations on AD and CVD ground than what 
we have found from statistics.  
5.19.   On the issue of export administration, I want to clarify that we indeed maintain some 
measure s for some products, but those measures are consistent with the WTO rules.  
5.20.   WTO rules emphasize free trade, and also allow Members to take necessary measures to 
protect exhaustible resources and environment.  
5.21.   Export control on highly pollutive, energy consu ming products and exhaustible natural 
resources is part of our effort to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development. 
This policy is both necessary and in compliance with WTO rules.  
5.22.   Regarding harmonization of customs procedures, I would li ke to point out that Chinese 
customs carry out customs supervision in accordance with the Customs Law and other relevant 
laws and regulations. The legislation and enforcement of customs procedures is unified within in 
the customs area across the country. I n practice, a few local customs may have different 
understandings of the regulations due to different levels of economic development and 
geographical conditions, which may lead to unconformity in enforcement. Enforcement in pilot 
regions and non -pilot regi ons for the matter of customs clearance reform may also have temporary 
differences.  
5.23.   In order to harmonize and regulate customs enforcement, we have adopted various 
measures, including the establishment of the mechanism for identifying, settling and feeding  back 
unconformity of enforcement. On top of that, the regional harmonization and cooperation 
mechanism for customs enforcement has been put in place, and the customs procedure 
standardization system and administrative interpretation system have been imple mented. We have 
also corrected or reduced the deviations in enforcement through administrative review and by 
providing legal training to customs officials.  
5.24.   We will continue our efforts in unifying and regulating enforcement, and endeavour to 
create a fair,  equitable, safe and convenient customs environment for businesses.  
5.25.   With regard to IPR Protection, the Government of China attaches great importance to the 
IPR protection through legislation, law enforcement and establishment of a long -term mechanism. 
A series of laws and regulations concerning IPR have been promulgated. The amount of 
compensation for IPR infringements has been raised, so have the penalties for infringements, both 
administrative and criminal. China's new leadership has retained the National  Leading Group on 
the Fight against IPR Infringement and Counterfeiting headed by a vice premier of the State 
Council. The Government is also pushing forward the initiative to incorporate the outcomes of IPR 
protection against infringements and counterfeit s into Government performance evaluation system 
at different levels. If any WTO Member comes across any cases regarding IPR infringement, please WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 do not hesitate to inform the relevant authorities of China. In addition, I would like to point out 
that China' s export products are of high quality. Otherwise, China would not have become the 
largest exporter worldwide. However, it is possible that some exporters from China and importers 
from other Members might collude with each other and trade in products with i nferior quality by 
illegal means. The Government of China is ready to maintain close cooperation with importing 
Members and jointly crack down on counterfeits and infringing products.  
5.26.   A few Members pointed out in their statements that China has become the biggest 
merchandise trader and the second largest economy in the world. Therefore, they expect China to 
play a leading role in the multilateral trading system. No. 1 trader and No. 2 economy cannot hide 
the fact that China is still a developing economy. As  Ambassador Reiter mentioned in his 
statement, I quote, "China still ranks only 101 out of 187 in UNDP's human development index". 
The ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda also rightly pointed out in her statement that despite 
being top player in the world ec onomy, China remains a developing country, still faces daunting 
tasks in maintaining sustainable economic growth.  
5.27.   Therefore, we will actively participate in the multilateral trade negotiations and assume 
responsibilities commensurate with our level of deve lopment, competitiveness of our industries 
and level of people's income.  
5.28.   Some Members expressed the hope to have more investment from China. While China's 
outbound investment is still at an early stage of development, it has already shown a momentum 
of rap id growth. In 2013, non -financial outbound FDI of China totalled US$90 billion, ranking the 
3rd place in the world. Our investment reached 156 countries and regions, and the developing 
world has been a major destination. In the coming five years it is esti mated that China will make a 
total of US$500 billion outward investment.  
5.29.   The Government of China supports Chinese enterprises to invest globally, and hopes host 
countries will reciprocate with sound investment environment and facilitating measures. In thi s 
context, we welcome Members and developing countries in particular to come to China and launch 
investment and business promotion activities. In this respect, I would like to recommend to you 
the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), which is held annually in September 
in Xiamen, China. CIFIT is currently China's only international investment promotion event aimed 
at facilitating cross -border investment. It is also the largest global investment event according to 
the Union of Internati onal Fairs (UFI). Interested Members may use the platform to advertise your 
investment policies and environment and I believe Chinese enterprises will be interested. Our 
Mission to the WTO will be delighted to provide further information on that fair.  
DISCUSSANT  
5.30.   I sincerely thank Assistant Minister Wang Shouwen for his detailed responses to the very 
broad range of issues raised by Members during the first day of this review. In fact, looking back, 
as the Chair also concluded on Tuesday, we have had a remark able robust discussion. To my 
understanding, some 46 delegations took the floor on Tuesday, a vast majority making full use of 
their allocated 7 minutes. If not a new record for the TPRB, it surely must be among the most 
extensive exchanges that have occur red in this important body.  
5.31.   This should probably not come as a surprise.  
5.32.   China is a major player in global trade, just as it is in the multilateral trading system. As 
was also highlighted during the first day of review, China is today one of the most imp ortant, if not 
the biggest, trading partner to around 120 countries. Many delegations expressed appreciation for 
the extensive bilateral trade with China, albeit at times with scope for greater balance and 
diversification in the future. Many delegations al so professed to the rapidly expanding collaboration 
with China in areas such as of investment, infrastructure, S -S-cooperation, technical assistance, 
training and alike.  
5.33.   But Member's extensive interest in China clearly also stems from its systemic importa nce. In 
part, as we have heard, this is about the role of China in the WTO, in part it stems from China's 
role in the global economy.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 5.34.   On the first aspect, China has today a leadership role in WTO and, hence, a particular 
responsibility to maintain and dev eloped the open, predictable and rules -based trading system that 
the WTO embodies. A large number of Members also acknowledge China's many constructive 
contributions, including for example through its accession commitments, its help in securing a Bali 
deal, its access offered to LDCs' exports and its capacity building efforts, as well as, not least, its 
unwavering support for the conclusion of the DDA. Much appreciation was also expressed to 
Ambassador Yu and his team here in Geneva. At the same time, refle cting both that China has 
benefitted massively from its WTO Membership and that it is today the world's largest trader, 
Members' expectations on China in the WTO are logically high – and increasing. Whilst not 
discarding China's many achievement or its con tinued internal development challenges, China is 
expected to ensure "that its contribution is commensurate with its economic weight" as one 
Member put it. In a nutshell, being big will imply being held to high standards. And, from that 
perspective, having listened to Members, more seems to be expected of China in the future.  
5.35.   On the second issue, i.e. China's significant role in the global economy, one Member 
formulated this rather squarely when saying that, and I quote: "a stable and healthy Chinese 
econom y is almost synonymous with a healthy global economy". China has also made a critical 
contribution in this regard, when the world economy was on the brink of being knocked off its feet. 
China's stable growth helped the world economy recover, just as it hel ped recover global trade. 
The other side of this coin is, of course, that China's actions nowadays have repercussions far 
beyond its own territory. As one delegation underlined, and I quote: "policies and practices 
introduced by China exert enormous influe nce not only on its domestic market, but also in the 
operation and maintenance of global trade". For my own part, this is what I tried to allude to, in 
my introductory remarks, that China today is a "shaper" of the global economy, but also because 
of that China can "beggar -thy-neighbour" and that with size and might follow new responsibilities.  
5.36.   Because of the systemic importance of the China and its economy, both for world trade and 
the global economy, it is not surprising that most delegations, in their i nterventions, raised the 
new agenda for reforms and opening up, as set out in the Decision at the Third Plenary Session in 
November 2013. Many clearly sought more information about the plans for comprehensively 
deepened reforms and – more generally – sent a strong message of encouragement to the 
Chinese Government to pursue these reforms, with the necessary rigor, vigilance and timeliness. 
The general sentiment was well summarized by one Member when saying, and I quote: "This is a 
very clear and positive si gnal to all of us as trading partners about China's firm commitment to 
improve its trade and investment regimes".  
5.37.   Naturally, many Members also used this opportune occasion to highlight areas of particular 
interests and concerns, including in relation to t he recently adopted reform agenda by China. 
Again, it is not for me to make an extensive recapitulation of each and every issue (or irritant), but 
rather I would like to try to highlight three overarching points, based on what I detected in 
Members' interv entions:  
1) Promoting a better business climate;  
2) Improving openness; and  
3) Ensuring a level playing field and competition neutrality.  
5.38.   As regards the business climate, the core issues that seem to come back again and again 
are transparency, predictability and c onsistency. These issues have been raised, in one form or 
another, in relation to: licensing, registration or approval procedures; standards setting, testing 
and quarantine requirements; regulations affecting trade and implementation of regulations; the 
use of catalogues, for example on investments; tax schemes and incentives programmes; 
intellectual property; customs procedures; judicial enforcement; and more. Perhaps the more good 
news is that many challenges seem to stem from the application of laws, rul es and regulations, 
rather than their content as such. The less good news however, it seems to me, is that much 
remains to be done in this area. With respect to transparency in WTO, calls were also made on 
China to submit its outstanding notifications in a  timely and accurate manner (e.g. subsidies).  
5.39.   With respect to openness, much attention centered on services and investments. Services 
liberalization clearly offers significant untapped potential for future Chinese transformation and WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 upgrading. The China (S hanghai) Free Trade Zone also attracted a lot of interest, not least for its 
relative relaxation of restrictions and requirements on foreign investments, as well as it being a 
stepping -stone for future reforms at a national level. In addition, some Members  raised concerns 
with respect China's use of antidumping, controls and high taxes on exports, as well as import 
licensing. Similarly, China was encouraged to finalize its accession negotiations to the GPA and, as 
a key exporter, to intensify its efforts to  conclude the ongoing ITA negotiations.  
5.40.   With respect to levelling the playing field, China was commended for its plans, as stated in 
its reform agenda, to let the market play a decisive role in resource allocation. This will probably 
not be easy, as it go es to the heart of the tricky question of the relationship between the State and 
the market. China has no doubt come a very long way, but I believe it has a long way still to go. 
For the reforms to be successful, tackling some the current forms of State in volvement in the 
economy will be necessary at local, provincial or national levels, be they subsidies, incentives, 
credits, preferential lending conditions, or other support programmes. Such a move could also help 
in shifting the focus to domestic consumpt ion, as opposed to investment and output, in line with 
the overall macroeconomic objectives of China. And while reforms of SOEs are already foreseen 
under the agenda of the new leadership, considering their dominance in certain sectors, China will 
have to redouble their efforts to ensure competition neutrality – de jure and de facto – between 
SOEs and private companies (foreign or local). This is all the more important, in my view, if China 
is to succeed with spurring innovation and its services sectors.   
5.41.   In conclusion, China's achievements to date are many and, in many ways, massive, while it 
also has many daunting challenges remaining. I strongly commend the Chinese delegation, and in 
particular Assistant Minister Wang, for the earnest way that it has app roached this exercise, by 
both laying out what it has done during the period of review and, in an explicit manner, describing 
where it wants to go next. Specifically, as also underscored by the Chinese Government Report, 
the challenges of transformation an d modernization facing China are significant. But so are the 
stakes. As regards the reform task at hand, one Member encapsulated this nicely in saying that, 
and I quote: "[t]he overarching challenge now is to end the old ways of seeking growth and bring 
in the new". As for the stakes, as another Member recalled, China's "successes and failures [with 
its transformation] will be the world's successes and failures".  
5.42.   Everyone understands that the new comprehensive and ambitious reforms and opening -up 
will not happen overnight, that they will not be easy and that their results will take some time to 
be realized. Nonetheless, China – for its own sake and for ours – has little choice but to forge 
ahead.  
RUSSIAN  FEDERATION  
5.43.   We would like first to welcome the delega tion of China and to greet the fifth Trade Policy 
Review of the Chinese economy which now, not surprisingly, occupies the leading position in the 
global trade. We have no doubt that the present TPR will be mutually informative and practically 
useful both f or China and for the whole WTO Membership.  
5.44.   Considerable long -standing growth of China at an average annual rate of 7.7% enables us 
to give a positive overall assessment of the economic policies of China including its trade and 
investment components. We hig hly appreciate the current economic reforms carried out by Beijing 
aiming at economic growth and further diversification of the Chinese economy despite the 
complexity and volatility of the external business environment.  
5.45.   We commend the significant role of C hina in recent WTO Members' achievements, 
materialized in the Bali's "early harvest" package, which, we believe, will help to restore the 
creditability of the Doha Round as well as the multilateral trading system and contribute to the 
recovery and developm ent of the world economy as a whole. Thus, we are sure that China would 
continue to play an active and positive role in responding to various challenges to global economy 
and trade.  
5.46.   China has been a key player in terms of regional economic cooperation. We witnessed 
successful opening by the Chinese chairmanship of the preparatory round for this year's APEC 
summit and we are ready to work with other APEC member States in order to achieve meaningful 
outcome of the coming meeting.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 5.47.   We attach great importance to  promoting cooperation under the BRICS umbrella aiming at 
approaching towards global growth based on our complementarities and respective economic 
strengths.  
5.48.   We would like to remark that Russia shares with China a fast -growing, strategic, mutually 
benefici al and much interconnected economic partnership. In this context, Russia attaches much 
importance and attention to the trade regime of China and continuous positive efforts of Chinese 
authorities to be fully in line with the core principles of the MTS such  as transparency, 
accountability and non -discrimination.  
5.49.   Nevertheless, we would like to highlight some of Chinese non -tariff measures that, we 
believe, need more attention, including application of the CCC mark requirements (many Chinese 
produced goods con tinue to be sold without the mark) and duplication of safety certification 
requirements for some types of equipment. In light of these aspects, Russia would appreciate 
some additional clarification on China's trade practices in enhancing transparency of it s standards 
and SPS measures. We also expect that certain antidumping measures on Russia goods expiring 
this year will not be extended for a longer period.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.50.   Let me first express our sincere appreciation to the Chinese delegation for the timel y replies 
they have provided to the advance written questions the EU has submitted.  
5.51.   Today, we would like to present some comments and observations on the review so far and 
also briefly present follow -up questions.  
5.52.   Let me start with our comments on some o f the main issues:  
5.53.   First of all, the statements we have heard on the first day of this exercise all reflected the 
importance of China to the Members’ economies – as the world’s largest trader, as the largest 
tarding partner for many here, as an ever more important part of the multilateral trading system. 
A number of statements echoed the discussant’s remark that China’s economic weight is now so 
large that its action – or inaction – on trade and economic policy has a direct effect on us all.  
5.54.   Consequently,  it is no surprise that many statements called on China to play a role in the 
WTO commensurate with its trade weight and to show leadership in both multilateral and 
plurilateral negotiations. The comments also reflected that the WTO is built on transparenc y – and 
that China must lead by example by honouring its transparency and notification obligations.  
5.55.   As regards transparency, the EU continues to insist on a timely implementation of China’s 
commitment under its Accession Protocol to publish in a single off icial journal all laws, regulations 
and other measures both at central and sub -central level, pertaining to or affecting trade in goods, 
services, IPR or foreign exchange control. We have took note of China’s comments this morning 
and look forward to tangi ble improvements.  
5.56.   As regards notifications, many Members, including the European Union, highlighted the gaps 
in subsidy notifications and lack of information on other support measures, in particular at 
provincial and local Government level. We would urge China to provide this information as soon as 
possible.  
5.57.   The TPR is after all an exercise in transparency, and we call on China to redress the 
concerns so widely shared by the Members on the first day of our meeting, while again taking note 
of the comments by China this morning. As the world’s largest trader, China has the duty to fully 
support the WTO as an institution, and in particular this TPR process, by providing all the 
documents the Secretariat needs to properly review the trade policies of such an i mportant 
Member.  
5.58.   In keeping with the theme of transparency, it is in this spirit that we present our follow -up 
questions.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 5.59.   I will not read out the follow -up questions in full here, and would instead like to limit myself 
to mentioning the main issues where  the EU seeks additional information:  
 First, we are reiterating request for information on legislation, policy orientations and 
 timelines for reforms where none were provided: for example on the investment catalogue 
 and related laws, the Shanghai Free Tr ade Zone, standardisation, IPR and patents or 
 sustainable development.  
 Second, on agriculture and SPS: we present follow -up questions on the rationale for the use 
 of non -ad-valorem  tariffs, transparency as to the coverage of state -trading, transparency i n 
 the area of agricultural internal support measures, special product support, temporary 
 prohibitions and related scientific assessment/conformity to international standards, custom 
 procedures, proportionality of measures taken to the risk present and m inimisation of trade 
 restrictions.  
 Third, on public procurement: questions on national legislation related to China’s GPA 
 accession and value of public procurement contracts.  
 Last but not least, some follow -up questions are also submitted on GIs, aid for  trade 
 programmes, sustainable development and investment approval procedures.  
5.60.   As usual, we are submitting our follow -up questions in writing through the Secretariat, and 
we look forward to receiving the replies to these questions within one month of the meeting.   
5.61.   Finally, let me again express our appreciation to the whole delegation of China for their 
presence here, their participation in this important exercise and for the contributions presented 
during this fifth Trade Policy Review of China.  
UNITED  STATES 
5.62.   Today, we would like to offer a few comments in light of the discussion that took place on 
Tuesday and also explain the concerns that underlie some of our more important follow -up 
questions.  
5.63.   On Tuesday, in its opening remarks, China described many eco nomic reforms that China is 
or will be pursuing. We are supportive of these reforms, particularly the ones announced at the 
Third Plenum in November 2013.   
5.64.   At the same time, we would like to comment on three statements made by China in its 
opening remarks . 
5.65.   First, China stated that it has strengthened IPR protection. While the Secretariat’s Report 
and the Government Report both describe extensive efforts by the Chinese authorities to make 
improvements in this area, we would emphasize that an enormous amount  of work remains if 
China is to close significant loopholes in its legal framework and reduce the unacceptably high 
infringement levels in China.  
5.66.   Second, China stated that openness in the services sector has been expanded. While we 
have not seen significan t liberalization of China’s services sector since China’s last Trade Policy 
Review, the Secretariat’s Report notes that the new Shanghai Free Trade Zone is "a pilot project to 
test the further liberalization of trade in services". We look forward to furthe r liberalization, both 
inside and outside the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.  
5.67.   Third, China stated that it has one of the best track records of implementing WTO rulings. 
China specifically claimed that it has timely complied with all 14 of the final rulings that have gone 
against China to date.  
5.68.   Up until a few years ago, we would have agreed that China had a very good track record in 
complying with adverse WTO rulings. But in recent years, problems have arisen.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 5.69.   In DS413, the China –Electronic Payment Services disput e, China agreed to comply by 
31 July 2013, nearly one year ago. China did remove or revise certain WTO -inconsistent measures 
by that deadline, but at the same time it also imposed a new requirement that continues to block 
foreign suppliers of electronic pa yment services from China’s market. That is, China imposed a 
new licensing requirement on electronic payment services suppliers, but it did not establish an 
actual process for these suppliers to obtain licenses. We have held extensive discussions with 
China on this matter, and we hope to see China issue a draft of the required licensing regulations 
for public comment before the U.S. -China Strategic and Economic Dialogue takes place next week.  
5.70.   In DS414, the dispute involving China’s antidumping and counterv ailing duties on imports of 
U.S. grain oriented electrical steel, the United States initiated a proceeding under Article 21.5 of 
the DSU earlier this year challenging China’s redetermination as not in compliance with the panel 
and Appellate Body findings.  
5.71.   In DS363, which involves China’s importation and distribution restrictions on books, music 
and theatrical films, China acknowledged that it would be unable to comply with the panel and 
Appellate Body findings as they related to films. To China’s credit, i n 2012, China entered into an 
MOU with the United States in which it agreed to other films -related concessions. To date, while 
the MOU has generated significant benefits for the U.S. film industry, implementation issues have 
persisted in two key areas. We have had extensive discussions with China on these two issues and 
hope that they can be resolved soon.  
5.72.   Turning to our follow -up questions, we note that several of them deal with China’s 
subsidization practices and China’s failure to keep current with its s ubsidies notification obligations.   
5.73.   As is well -documented by WTO disputes and Members’ anti -subsidy investigations, China 
supports its domestic industries through subsidization. A review of China’s numerous five -year 
plans strongly suggests, moreover, tha t this subsidization is widespread and massive.   
5.74.   It is therefore particularly troubling that China remains years behind in its required 
subsidies notifications. In its 12 years of WTO Membership, China has submitted only two 
notifications under Article 25  of the SCM Agreement, with its last notification covering only 2005 to 
2008.   
5.75.   Given these circumstances, the United States asked China in U.S. question 3(b) to explain 
when it will provide its long -overdue subsidies notification. China responded that it will submit its 
notification "as soon as possible". This is the same response that China has been giving WTO 
Members for years. In a follow -up question, we have made clear our expectation that China, as the 
largest trader among WTO Members, should be able to provide a date by which it will submit its 
notification – and we would hope that this date is one in the near future.  
5.76.   Another area in which we are asking follow -up questions involves industrial policies like 
China’s use of export duties and export quota s. 
5.77.   The remaining area of emphasis in our follow -up questions is transparency.  
5.78.   Specifically, our follow -up questions seek to identify more clearly the problems that China 
has encountered in trying to implement its important bilateral and WTO commitments rel ating to 
(1) the translation of trade -related measures into one or more WTO languages; (2) the solicitation 
of public comments on drafts of trade -related measures; and (3) the publication of final 
trade -related measures in China’s official journal.  
5.79.   We beli eve that both China and its trading partners will benefit from China’s full 
implementation of its transparency commitments.  
5.80.   Lastly, in response to China’s statement this morning, let me clarify what we mean by 
retaliatory conduct in the trade remedies cont ext. When a WTO Member tells the United States 
that it will, in the future, initiate a trade remedy investigation against U.S. products if the U.S. 
authorities issue an unfavourable decision in an ongoing trade remedies investigation, and the 
WTO Member su bsequently follows through by initiating the threatened trade remedy investigation WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 without sufficient legal or factual support – that is what we consider to be retaliatory conduct.  
And, we do not consider it to be appropriate conduct for a WTO Member.  
JAPAN 
5.81.   Japan would like to express our sincere appreciation for the efforts made by the Chinese 
delegation to provide us with informative oral explanations regarding our concerns. We also 
appreciate the contribution from the discussant, Ambassador Reiter.  
5.82.   Japan has submitted follow -up questions in a written format, regarding drug price control 
and IPR, which include requests for:  
 explanation on the evaluation standards of quality and value of new drugs;  
 further explanation on test data protection, and on the Re gulations on the 
Administration of Technology Import and Export;  
 plans for the publication of the guidance for implementation of the patent law; and  
 clarification of compulsory licensing provisions of the Patent Law.  
5.83.   We are looking forward to receiving ans wers to the questions in due course.  
5.84.   Finally, we hope the views and opinions expressed by Members during this TPR will help 
China to advance its reforms.  
CANADA  
5.85.   We note that Canada has been asking a considerable number of questions raised by 
Members includ ing Canada. We have a few follow -up questions and we will send them in writing to 
the Secretariat after today's meeting.  
5.86.   Canada thanks China for its participation in its fifth Trade Policy Review.  
MR WANG  SHOUWEN   
5.87.   Thank you all for your follow -up comments and questions. As a concluding remark, I have 
to say that we are very pleased to have undergone a thorough discussion with you on the general 
objectives and on the specific aspects of China's economic and trade policies in the last review.  
5.88.   This review come s to a conclusion and I would like to stress my sincere thanks to you all for 
your warm and extensive exchanges in the past two days.  
5.89.   China attaches great importance to the Trade Policy Review Mechanism as it provides a 
precious chance for WTO Members to c onduct peer reviews of the economic and trade policies in a 
comprehensive and transparent manner.  
5.90.   We wish that through this Review Members' countries and economies could gain a better 
understanding of the multifaceted and the complex reality in China. More  important to me, we 
would like to make full use of this Mechanism to support our domestically reforms and opening up 
efforts.  
5.91.   We have listened to your comments and questions as well as the messages you have 
convey to us. Those comments and questions are constructive and consistent with China's goal of 
deeply reform and opening up. We will study the questions you have already submitted to us and 
see the follow -up questions you are going to submit to us after the meeting is finished.  
5.92.   We will study these que stions when we will get back to Beijing and we will keep close 
consultations with the concerned Members through bilateral and multilateral channels. China firmly 
believes that the multilateral trading system should play the leading role in trade and invest ment 
liberalization, and strengthening this system serves the interests of all Members. Therefore, we 
look forward to working with you all to smoothly implement the whole Bali package, to successfully 
formulate the post -Bali work programme, and to fully co nclude the Doha Round towards a 
multilateral trading system that is more balanced and development -oriented.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 5.93.   Let me finally thank all the delegations for their active participation in this Review and thank 
you, Madam Chair, for your excellent steering of th is meeting. I also want to thank Ambassador 
Joakim Reiter for the very good introduction and wish to acknowledge once again the hard work of 
the Secretariat, particularly the staff in the TPR Division for the smooth running of this Review. I 
also take this  opportunity to thank our translators and interpreters for their excellent performance. 
We look forward to the continued fruitful cooperation with the Secretariat.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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 6  CONCLUDING REMARKS B Y THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  The fifth Trade Policy Review of China has provided an excellent opportunity to improve our 
understanding of its trade and investment policies. I would like to thank Mr WANG Showmen, 
Assistant Minister of Commerce and H.E. Ambassador YU Jianhua, Permanent Representative of 
China to the World Trade Organizat ion and the whole delegation for their constructive engagement 
throughout this exercise. I would also like to thank H.E. Mr Joakim Reiter, Ambassador of Sweden 
to the WTO for his insightful remarks as discussant. China received over 1,700 advance written 
questions, which shows the importance attached by Members to its trade and investment policies 
and practices. China's written answers to most of these questions have been welcomed by 
Members who looked forward to answers to additional questions, no later th an one month after 
this meeting.  
6.2.  Members remarked that during the period under Review, China had become the major global 
merchandise trader and noted the impact that China's policies had on the world economy and on 
the functioning of the WTO. Hence, they h ighlighted the need for China to recognize the increased 
responsibility that comes with becoming a lead player in the multilateral trading system. They 
commended China for its determination to carry out challenging reforms and emphasized that the 
current r eview came at a particularly opportune time as under its new leadership China had 
announced an ambitious and comprehensive reform agenda. In this context, Members sought 
more information on the specifics of the ongoing reforms, including the functioning of  the China 
(Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and on future reforms.  
6.3.  Members noted the role that China's economic growth had played in contributing to world 
economic recovery in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. However, they observed the need 
for rebalancing growth, which had been traditionally nurtured by investment and had heavily relied 
on directed credit availability. It was noted that China had already taken some steps to rebalance 
economic growth through policies to promote consumption. M embers stated their belief that trade 
and a further liberalization of the domestic market could play an important role in this endeavour. 
In this regard Members outlined a number of areas where they thought that improvements could 
be achieved:  
 Transparency : as the world's largest trader China bore great responsibility for 
supporting a predictable and transparent global trading system. China was 
encouraged to ensure the effective use of transparency mechanisms within the WTO, 
including ensuring that its noti fication obligations are fulfilled in a timely way. 
Members noted that although China had committed to publish in a single official 
journal all laws, regulations and other measures related to or affecting trade in goods, 
services, IPR or foreign exchange, both at the central and sub central level, and to 
make them available in a WTO language, this had not been effectively accomplished. 
Members urged China to address this shortcoming by making information regarding 
trade -related measures available. This woul d be beneficial to all as it would lead to 
increased trade and investment.  
 Consistency in implementation of laws, regulations and policies:  Members 
understood the difficulties that China faced in ensuring the consistent implementation 
of laws, regulations and policies in such a vast country. It was noted that 
implementation inconsistencies affected business directly with and within China, 
compounding the often -reported problems of predictability and transparency. 
Members stated that addressing these issues was of the utmost importance, both to 
improve the operating environment of business – domestic and foreign alike – and to 
limit the risk of discretionary treatment.  
 Role of the State:  Members noted that the State still had an active role in China's 
econom ic development and that China continued to pursue policies to support 
domestic industries including those controlled by state -owned enterprises. They stated 
that on occasions this had led to overcapacity and excessive credit expansion. In 
Members' view, gi ven China's size and importance, Government intervention affected 
the allocation of resources and competitive conditions of companies in and outside 
China.  WT/TPR/W/ 67 • China  
 
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  TBT and SPS:  Members expressed concern with respect to the use of technical 
requirements that diverg ed from international standards and the insufficient 
involvement of interested stakeholders in the standardization process. Regarding SPS 
measures Members questioned their scientific justification in certain instances, and 
requested China to make further e fforts to increase transparency and predictability in 
this area.  
 Other concerns raised by Members included China's support policies; the use of export 
restraints and export taxes; restrictions on services market access; the retaliatory use 
of trade remedi es; enforcement of IPRs; the protection of trade secrets; and 
restrictions to foreign investors in certain areas.  
6.4.  Members commended China for their leadership in submitting its notification of Category A 
provisions under the new Trade Facilitation Agreemen t and in opening its market to products from 
LDCs. Members urged China to make further efforts to conclude the negotiations to expand the 
Information Technology Agreement and to become a member of the GPA. Members trusted that 
China would continue to posit ively contribute to the adoption of the post Bali work programme. 
China as a global economic power had an indisputable role to play in maintaining a rules -based 
trading system which is vital to the current and future prosperity of trading nations.  
6.5.  The par ticipation of over 50 delegations in this meeting and the large number of questions 
posed during this Trade Policy Review indicate the clear importance of China as a trading partner. 
In this respect, I would wish to emphasize that it is essential for the s ystem that China abides by 
its WTO commitments including that of transparency. This, in turn, would allow China to continue 
reaping the benefits of economic liberalization in a rules -based multilateral framework. Members 
believed that it is crucially impor tant that China continues to pursue trade liberalization and 
economic reform despite the challenges that could arise and pledged to support China so that clear 
improvements could be achieved in the specific areas mentioned, in the questions posed and in th e 
discussions held during these two days.  
6.6.  In closing, I would like to thank Assistant Minister WANG Shouwen and the rest of the 
Chinese delegation, all the other delegations, the discussant and the Secretariat for this very 
successful fifth review of the t rade policies of China.  
__________