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
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