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08 April 1999

TEXT: JOINT U.S.-CHINA STATEMENT ON CHINA'S WTO ACCESSION

(Leaders praise progress, commit to resolving remaining issues) (580)
Washington -- President Clinton and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji jointly
affirmed April 8 that China's admission to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) is in the interest of the United States, the
People's Republic of China, and the global trading system.
To that end, in a joint statement released April 8, the two leaders
welcomed the significant progress made by the United States and the
People's Republic of China toward a strong agreement based on a
balance of rights and obligations.
"Noting that agreement has not been reached on some important issues,"
the statement said, "they commit to work to resolve these remaining
issues through further bilateral negotiations in order to conclude a
strong agreement as the basis for the accession of the People's
Republic of China to the WTO."
Following is the official text of the joint statement:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
 Office of the Press Secretary 
Joint U.S.-China Statement Status of Negotiations on
China's Accession to the World Trade Organization
April 8, 1999
On the occasion of the official visit of the Premier of the Government
of the People's Republic of China Premier Zhu Rongji, to the United
States, President of the United States William Jefferson Clinton and
Premier Zhu Rongji jointly affirm that China's admission to the World
Trade Organization (WTO) is in the interest of the United States, the
People's Republic of China, and the global trading system. To that
end, they welcome the significant progress made by the United States
and the People's Republic of China toward a strong agreement based on
a balance of rights and obligations. Noting that agreement has not
been reached on some important issues, they commit to work to resolve
these remaining issues through further bilateral negotiations in order
to conclude a strong agreement as the basis for the accession of the
People's Republic of China to the WTO.
President Clinton and Premier Zhu recognize the complexity of WTO
accession negotiations. In this regard, they note that agreement has
been reached on market access for agricultural and industrial goods as
well as a wide range of services sectors, as set out in Attachment 1,
but that certain matters remain to be resolved in banking, including
consumer auto finance, as well as securities and audio visual
services. They further welcome the conclusion of the Sino-U.S.
Agricultural Cooperation Agreement, especially the resolution of
bilateral issues concerning imports by the People's Republic of China
of U.S. citrus, meat products, and Pacific Northwest wheat, as set out
in Attachment 2. President Clinton and Premier Zhu note agreement has
been reached on a variety of important rules to be applicable in the
WTO, concerning trading rights, technology transfer and offsets, state
enterprises, and subsidies, as set out in Attachment 3. However, they
recognize that certain differences remain to be resolved on a
mechanism to ensure implementation, the duration of provisions
governing dumping and product safeguards, and rules governing textiles
trade.
President Clinton and Premier Zhu welcome this significant progress
and instruct their trade ministers to resume bilateral negotiations in
order to satisfactorily resolve the important remaining issues as soon
as possible in support of the common goal of admission of the People's
Republic of China to the WTO on strong commercial terms in 1999.
(Please Note: Attachments are available through the USTR Press Office,
202-395-3230.)
(end text)