Schroeder, Chirac Favor China's WTO Membership 　　German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac on May 18 in Bonn said they supported China's bid for the World Trade Organization (WTO) membership. 　　A quick WTO membership for China with full rights and duties in the multilateral trade system is in the interest of Germany and France, other WTO members, and China itself, said Schroeder and Chirac in a joint statement issued both in Bonn and in Paris. 　　China is one of the most important trade partners of the European Union, and has been integrated with the world trade in a considerable degree, they said. 　　"Because of that, Germany and France support with emphasis China's entrance to the WTO," the statement said. 　　The two leaders said they "expressly acknowledged" China's endeavor of creating the necessary conditions for entering WTO. 　　The current procedure on China's WTO membership should bring a successful conclusion, with which China is able to take part in the next round multilateral trade negotiations of the WTO, said Schroeder and Chirac. (Xinhua) Economicnews 1999-05-20 Page7 Full Story in Chinese