LEAD: Talks on China's WTO entry reconvene in Geneva

Asian Economic News, Nov 13, 2000

GENEVA, Nov. 6 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH COMMENTS BY CHINESE NEGOTIATOR)

Multilateral talks on China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) resumed Monday in Geneva, but the prospects of the world's most populous country becoming a member by the end of the year appeared dim.

According to diplomats, China is still at odds with key WTO members such as the United States and the European Union (EU) over such core issues as import certification processes, agriculture and services.

One diplomat said delegates will need to make extraordinary efforts if the current session, scheduled to continue until Thursday, is to make substantial progress.

In addition, Pierre Girard, chairman of the multilateral working party on China's entry, suffered a serious injury in a recent traffic accident, delaying the talks originally scheduled to begin last Thursday.

Long Yongtu, China's deputy minister for trade and economic cooperation, headed the Chinese delegation at the talks.

He said that China is not particularly concerned whether or not it joins the world trade body by the end of the year.

''I don't think the timing is that important,'' Long told reporters as he was entering the conference hall. ''The important thing is to get the substance right. I don't mind whether it (accession) is at the end of the year, or next January,'' Long said.

Long said China will keep promises and commitments according to WTO rules, but said that China would not accept special conditions imposed by some countries.

The Chinese team held informal bilateral talks last week with key WTO members such as the U.S., the EU and Japan, diplomats said, adding there were no signs of significant progress.

Aside from the bilateral meetings, coordinators for 11 key areas including trading rights, safeguards and antidumping held consultations last week to discuss the likelihood of making headway in each area.

The previous multilateral session was held in September. At the end of it, Girard stressed the need for ''political will'' on all sides if the talks are to be concluded by the end of 2000.

Diplomats said they are uncertain whether any bold political decisions has been made by key players since the last session finished without progress.

U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky was dispatched to China after the meeting to push for progress, and European trade negotiator Pascal Lamy also visited Beijing.

For China to join the WTO, Beijing must conclude bilateral negotiations with countries interested in further opening its markets. It also must negotiate terms of accession with about 40 countries involved in the working party.

The bilateral part of the process is almost over, except for talks with Mexico. But the multilateral portion, which must produce documents including protocols of accession and a report by the working party, is stalled.

After the working party documents are agreed upon, the WTO must convene a General Council meeting to approve China's membership. China then must ratify all the documents agreed to with the working party and deposit ratification documents with the WTO.

China can become an official WTO member 30 days after the documents are deposited.