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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 28, 2001

China's WTO Accession Brings New Chances for Foreign Ventures: Minister

Chinese Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng said Monday that China's accession to the WTO brings new opportunities for foreign ventures, who will enjoy a bettered investment environment as China fulfil WTO commitments by revising laws, opening markets and cutting tariffs.


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Shi meets Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs
Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) Shi Guangsheng said Monday that China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) brings new opportunities for foreign ventures in China.

Shi made the remarks during a meeting with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs Annemarie Jorritsma-Lebbink, who is here on a visit to China.

Shi thanked the Dutch Government and the European Union for their support of China's accession to the WTO. China will become a full member on December 11, as all the formalities have been completed at the WTO Ministerial Conference held in Doha, Qatar, this month.

"China's accession to the WTO means the country's reform and opening to the outside world has entered a new stage," Shi said. "To foreign firms, it means a new starting point for full-range cooperation with China in the areas of economics and trade."

China to abide by all pledges made, with law revised, tariff cut and service sector opened
The Chinese minister said China will strictly abide by all the pledges made in bilateral negotiations with WTO members and the rules of WTO. Currently, China is combing through its laws and regulations and intensifying its efforts to revise, amend or improve those that are not in compliance with those of the WTO and China's pledges.

After that, he said, foreign ventures in China will have a more stable and transparent environment for laws and policies.

China will also cut its customs tariffs as it has pledged, from the current rate of 15 percent on average to around 10 percent on average by 2005, said the minister.

In addition, China will open its service trade sectors, including banking, insurance, telecommunications and middleman agencies, on a gradual basis after December 11.

China to play an active role in new-round negotiations
Shi told his Dutch guests that China will take an active approach towards the new round of multi-lateral negotiations, which were approved at the Doha conference.

"China will play a constructive role in the new round, just like many other WTO members will, and make its due contribution to an early end of the talks," Shi said.

Dutch side ready to cooperate, and agreement signed
Jorritsma said China's entry into the WTO injects new vigor to the development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between China and the Netherlands. Trade and economic cooperation will have new development in the new century after the joint efforts from both sides, she said.

Shi and Jorritsma signed a bilateral investment protection agreement following their meeting.

Beijing Mayor: Dutch's investment welcomed
Beijing Mayor Liu Qi also met Monday with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs the Netherlands.

Liu briefed the Jorritsma-Lebbink on Beijing's preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games, air pollution control and business development.

He welcomed Dutch companies to invest in Beijing and invited Dutch intermediate business agents to enter the Beijing market.

Jorritsma-Lebbink expressed willingness to encourage Dutch enterprises and business community to strengthen cooperation with Beijing and contribute to Beijing's efforts to host the Olympic Games.



Annemarie Jorritsma

Annemarie Jorritsma nee Lebbink was born in Hengelo on 1 June 1950. After completing her secondary education in 1967, MS Jorritsma attended the Tourism Training School in Breda, graduating in 1969. She then worked for a travel agency and an export manager.

From 1978 to 1989, MS Jorritsma served on Bolswaard Municipal Council as a member for the People��s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). From 1982 to 1992 she was a member for the VVD of the Lower House of the States General.

She has been secretary to the VVD��s Provincial Women��s Organisation, deputy member of the VVD��s Advisory Council on Women, member of the Home Ownership Committee of the Steering Committee on Experimental Housing, member of the Executive Board of the Nieuwspoort Press Centre and Berie foar it Frysk (a Frisian organisation), member of the board of governors of the Thorbecke Akademie in Leeuwarden, and member of the board of the Association for High-rise Building.

From 22 August 1994 MS Jorritsma was Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management in the first Kok government. On 3 August 1998 she was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Affairs in the second Kok government.



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