China and the European Union held the latest round of talks on China's entry into the World Trade Union (WTO) Beijing between February 21-24, "come very close" after the latest two rounds

China's chief negotiator Long Yongtu said Thursday night following the conclusion of the talks that China and the EU have "come very close" after the latest two rounds of talks in Brussels and Beijing.

Long, chief representative for negotiations of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC), said "the Chinese side thinks that the conditions for ministerial-level talks between China and the EU have matured. MOFTEC Minister Shi Guangsheng welcomes Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy of the European Commission to visit China, and to finally conclude the China-EU negotiations on China's entry into the WTO."

Over the past four days, the Chinese team, led by Long, and the EC team, led by Hans-Friedrich Beseler, held technical negotiations on China's entry into the WTO.