DATE=8/27/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=CHINA / W-T-O (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-253176 BYLINE=GRACE CUTLER DATELINE=HONG KONG INTERNET=YES CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: The future head of the World Trade Organization has pledged to assist in China's entry into global trade body. Grace Cutler reports from Hong Kong, he expressed hope a breakthrough might come at next month's Asia-Pacific summit. TEXT: Mike Moore, who becomes World Trade Organization Director-General next week, says it is just a matter of time before China's 13 year old quest to become a member of the World Trade Organization is realized. On a visit to Hong Kong, Mr. Moore said he hopes China's accession will happen before member countries meet in the U-S West Coast city Seattle, this November. //MOORE ACT// We do not have a world trade organization and we will not have a world trade organization until it reflects the world. And therefore the question is not if China comes in, it is how China comes in, and when. It would be a splendid thing if it were possible for China to sit at the table as the great power she is in Seattle. If that is possible I would do anything I could to facilitate it. //END ACT// But Mr. Moore says much will depend on what happens at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Auckland next month, where Chinese President Jiang Zemin will meet with President Bill Clinton. Comments made by New Zealand's former prime minister come amid thawing ties between China and the United States. Several newspapers reported earlier this week that Beijing is showing renewed interest in resuming W-T-O discussions with Washington. Talks between the two countries derailed four months ago after NATO's mistaken bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, in which three people were killed and 27 others were injured. The reports say the bombing may have slowed the pace of negotiations, but did not change China's resolve to join the organization. U-S officials say they too look forward to the possible resumption of talks.(signed) NEB/GC/FC 27-Aug-1999 06:04 AM LOC (27-Aug-1999 1004 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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