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Nation Ready to Carry Out WTO Commitments
China expressed its hope November 7 that progress will be made in the ongoing multi-lateral negotiations in Geneva concerning China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).
"We hope that progress will be made in the negotiations so that China can enter the WTO at an early date," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao at a regular briefing. "China is actively making preparations to carry out its commitments."
A Chinese delegation headed by China's chief WTO negotiator Long Yongtu is now in Geneva for the 13th round of negotiations with the China Working Group. The talks focus on the drafting of the Protocol on China's Accession to the WTO and the Report of the China Working Group.
"These legal documents are complicated and should reflect China's 14-year quest for WTO membership," said Zhu. "Their completion needs the joint efforts of all parties concerned."
According to Zhu, the informal consultations held on Monday were "positive and constructive."
"The earlier China enters the WTO, the sooner the economies of WTO members will benefit from China's entry," said Zhu.
Apart from the documents, China still needs to reach accord with Mexico to wind up its marathon quest for full membership of the WTO.
On the eve of the US presidential election, Zhu expressed China's hope that the next resident of the White House will commit himself to the sound and steady development of Sino-US ties.
He particularly expressed the hope that the new president will adhere to the principles enshrined in the three Sino-US joint communiques and the relevant commitments made by the US Government, and properly handle the Taiwan question.
China is willing to co-operate with the new administration to promote the further development of bilateral relations, he pledged.
In another development, the spokesman Tuesday confirmed that Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his US counterpart Bill Clinton will hold talks during next week's informal meeting between leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation in Brunei. The talks will focus on Sino-US relations and major international issues.
On the issue of the Khmer Rouge, Zhu reiterated that it is Cambodia's internal affair and should be settled by the Cambodian Government independently.
"China has not and will not impose pressure on the Cambodian Government in relation to this issue," said Zhu. "We are confident that the Cambodian Government and people can properly handle the Khmer Rouge issue."
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