DATE=11/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / W-T-O (L)
NUMBER=2-256076
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Hopes are fading on speedy U-S acceptance of
China's bid to join the World Trade Organization. V-O-A's
Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing U-S and Chinese trade
negotiators refused to comment after extending last-minute
talks on the issue into a third day (Friday).
TEXT: Nothing about U-S Trade Representative Charlene
Barshefsky's last-minute trip to China was expected. She
arrived in Beijing Tuesday night, on a hastily-arranged
visit, after President Clinton spoke to Chinese President
Jiang Zemin on the telephone Saturday.
Her meetings were originally scheduled to last only two
days. But instead of leaving as planned, Ms. Barshefsky
stayed in Beijing to continue W-T-O discussions with her
Chinese counterparts.
For the third day in a row Friday, she met with Chinese
Foreign Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng to try to hammer out
an agreement.
At the outset, the U-S officials had described their first
day of talks as detailed and substantive. Official Chinese
media quoted Mr. Shi as being upbeat and saying China still
had strong hopes of joining the W-T-O.
But, by Friday, Ms. Barshefsky cast a pessimistic shadow
over the proceedings, saying she was discouraged no
progress had been made. A U-S spokeswoman would not
comment on what stumbling blocks remain.
If these talks falter, it could delay China's 13-year bid
to enter W-T-O for at least several more years.
To join the global trade body, China must conclude separate
market-opening agreements with the United States, the
European Union and other W-T-O members.
The goal was to complete these agreements before W-T-O
members gathered in Seattle at the end of this month to
launch a new round of global trade talks.
Washington wants greater market access for foreign
companies in China's telecommunications and financial
services sectors. The U-S side is also demanding China
submit to quotas on textile shipments and anti-dumping
measures to prevent surges in low-cost exports. (Signed)
NEB/SH/LTD/wd
12-Nov-1999 07:52 AM EDT (12-Nov-1999 1252 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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