WTO chief Mike Moore said in Beijing Friday that China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) will benefit the world, China and all member states.

"It will be an important day when China enters the WTO," he said in an interview with the People's Daily. "I am optimistic that China will be able to join this year. That's my hope, that's my expectation, and that's what we are working towards."

The 51-year-old WTO chief was very much impressed by what he found during his two visits to China in the past 14 years, the first in 1986. He described China's past 20 years as "successful."

This is his first China visit since he assumed office as director-general of WTO last September.

Shortly after his arrival Thursday, he exchanged views with Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, and met Friday morning with Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Minister Shi Guangsheng. Moore described those talks as "very positive."

He said that China's leadership is determined to join the WTO. He and his colleagues in Geneva are also enthusiastic about China' s entry as it will benefit not only China but other countries as well.

China has been bidding to join the WTO for the last 14 years. It reached a bilateral agreement with the United States last November, and is yet to strike a deal with the European Union (EU) and some other WTO members before it can join.

As a new round of China-EU negotiations will begin soon in Beijing, an important one that Moore wishes both parties succeed.

"Everybody is working towards the same objective (China joins the WTO this year)," he stressed. "That is, to get this thing wrapped-up, finalized and through, and this year."

On the opportunities and challenges China will face after it joins the WTO, Moore said that China's entry into the WTO will give the country more opportunities for development, and will lead to prosperity and peace.

However, the existing problems will not disappear as China joins the WTO, he said. State-owned enterprises will have to sharpen their competitive edge and some industries will face enormous pressure.

Developed countries are also facing similar difficulties, Moore said, adding that he believes that the talented Chinese people will have a brilliant future.