Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 29, 2001
Supachai: WTO to Bring China More Opportunities
The next World Trade Organization (WTO) director general, Supachai Panitchpakdi, said Thursday in Tianjin that China's accession into the global trade body will bring the country more opportunities.
The next World Trade Organization (WTO) director general, Supachai Panitchpakdi, said Thursday in Tianjin that China's accession into the global trade body will bring the country more opportunities.
Supachai, who will take over the WTO leadership from Mike Mooreof New Zealand in September 2002, made the prediction at a business meeting here organized by the Tianjin City government.
He said that it will take five to eight years for China to become a mature member of WTO.
China shows great potential through its strong momentum of development against the backdrop of a worldwide economic slowdown,the official said.
Entry into WTO offers a good chance for the nation to adjust the function of government and train a large number of highly qualified professionals, he said.
He suggested that the Chinese government be prudent in the process of making China's currency renminbi a convertible currency.
Supachai was in Tianjin, north China, at the invitation of the city government.