DATE=11/15/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=CHINA - W-T-O (L) NUMBER=2-256172 BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO DATELINE=BEIJING CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S and Chinese negotiators have concluded a deal paving the way for Beijing's entry into the World Trade Organization. As V-O-A's Stephanie Ho reports, this caps 13-years of effort by the Chinese government to join the global trade body. TEXT: Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky apparently was not going to leave Beijing this time without a W-T-O agreement. After six-days of stops and starts, Ms. Barshefsky and Chinese Foreign Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng beamed smiles as they signed the deal (Monday) in Beijing. // CHEERING SOUND - IN FULL, FADE OUT // Ms. Barshefsky's team began what turned out to be marathon talks Wednesday. They were originally scheduled for two-days, but dragged out into a total of six-days and nights. The Chinese Foreign Trade Minister called the just- concluded market-access agreement a win-win deal, saying it serves the interests of both countries. // SHI AND INTERPRETER ACT // Finally, we reached an agreement which is mutually satisfactory to our two countries. The negotiation and the conclusion of the afore- mentioned agreement is only made possible with the personal care and leadership of the presidents of our two countries. // END ACT // Following the signing ceremony, Ms. Barshefsky agreed that President Clinton and Chinese President Jiang Zemin both played a pivotal role. She says the deal enhances American commercial interests in China, and helps domestic Chinese reforms and strengthens the rule of law. // BARSHEFSKY ACT // The W-T-O is a rules-based trading regime. It encompasses almost 140-nations and the rules, basic rules on transparency, non-discrimination, judicial review, administrative independence, are absolutely critical to the functioning of a modern economy. // END ACT // Ms. Barshefsky says the agreement will have a significant effect on, what she described as -- Washington and Beijing's rather tumultuous ties. // BARSHEFSKY ACT // Ups and downs, lots of swings. But an agreement of this sort, with its breadth, with its scope, with its emphasis on rule of law, with its consistency with China's own internal reform process, can help to anchor the relationship between the United States and China in a most fundamental way. // END ACT // President Clinton's economic adviser, Gene Sperling, praised both the American and Chinese leaderships for putting the long-term bilateral relationship above short-term political expediency. // SPERLING ACT // This will be difficult, politically, for everyone involved, but it is the right thing for the U-S economy. It is the right thing for China's economic reform. And it is the right thing for the future of the global economy. // END ACT // China still has to conclude similar market-opening agreements with the European Union, Canada, and other W-T-O members before it is admitted to the global trade body. But China has jumped what experts saw as the most significant hurdle -- a deal with the United States. (SIGNED) NEB/HO/RAE 15-Nov-1999 09:21 AM EDT (15-Nov-1999 1421 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
