China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) will make "a great day" of history, and it should have happened 20 years ago, the trade body chief Mike Moore said Wednesday

"I am quiet confident we can make it this year," said Moore.

However, he said, China's final entry still depends on negotiations with a number of countries, such as the European Community nations and Mexico, which have not formally agreed yet on the bid.

Since China's entry into the world trade body is a complicated and important thing, Moore said he and the WTO secretariat will encourage to facilitate it.

Moore will go to China on Wednesday night to consult with the Chinese government on some technical issues which he believes are imperative.