DATE=5/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=E-U / CHINA TRADE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-262228
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BRUSSELS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The European Union's Trade Commissioner leaves
Sunday for Beijing, where he hopes to reach an
agreement on China's accession to the World Trade
Organization, or W-T-O. Ron Pemstein reports from
Brussels that the telecommunications business remains
a key issue for the European Union.
TEXT: The European Union is the last major trading
partner China needs in order to become a member of the
World Trade Organization. China is optimistic, with
China's Minister of Foreign Trade saying it will not
be long before China joins the W-T-O.
The European Union's Trade Commissioner, Pascal Lamy,
agrees the negotiations are in the final stages. Mr.
Lamy tells reporters before he returns to China that a
larger share (of the Chinese market) for Europe's
mobile telephone business is a necessity.
/// Lamy Act ///
It's a sector where European industry has a real
competitive advantage. We probably have around
90 percent of the Chinese market in mobile
telecom (telecommunications). We want to
consolidate this position. We want the possible
stake or share of European joint ventures in
China to be increased substantially. The real
goal is around 50 percent. There are
difficulties there. We are starting from a very
low level.
/// End Act ///
/// Opt /// Commissioner Lamy says Europe wants to
maintain its competitive advantage in the
telecommunications sector in China. The European
Union and China have conducted three rounds of
negotiations this year. On his last trip to China in
late March, Mr. Lamy left without completing an
agreement for China's admission to the World Trade
Organization. China has pledged to open its
telecommunications sector as well as its banking,
insurance and legal services after it joins the W-T-O.
/// End Opt ///
Since his last visit to China, European ministers have
given Mr. Lamy more flexible negotiating instructions.
At the same time that Mr. Lamy will be in China, the
U-S Congress will be preparing to vote on the United
States granting China permanent normal trading status.
Approval would clear the way for Chinese trade
concessions to the United States.
Mr. Lamy believes a successful conclusion of the
European Union's negotiations can only help the vote
in Congress.
/// Lamy Act ///
I really do not know if there is a clear
interaction and link between the P-N-T-R
(permanent normal trading relations) vote and
our own negotiation. The only thing I am sure
about is that a good, bilateral deal between E-U
and China next week can only positively
contribute to the outcome of this vote.
/// End Act ///
An advance team from the European Union is already in
Beijing trying to make sure this will be the last
round of talks designed to get China in the World
Trade Organization. (Signed)
NEB/RP/GE/JP
11-May-2000 10:44 AM EDT (11-May-2000 1444 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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