China's entry to the WTO

Multinational negotiations on China's entry into the World Trade Organization have run into trouble in their final stages, making it doubtful that China will achieve WTO membership within this year.

In formal working-level talks held in mid-September, the Chinese side backpedaled on its previous commitment to a timetable for opening its telecommunications market, reducing or abolishing export subsidies and other market-opening measures. China's backpedaling seems to be the result of resistance from state-run companies and officials uneasy and unhappy at the prospect of China's opening its markets. It is also worrisome to see that China has brought up the "one China" policy in connection with Taiwan's bid for entry into the WTO.

In a statement made at its recent Central Committee plenary session, the Chinese Communist Party said that China will "enter a new stage of market-opening with its entry into the WTO." The party made it clear it was preparing for entry by, among other things, reforming the structure of the nation's industries.

China must implement such policies and take a flexible approach if it wants to successfully conclude the multilateral negotiations in line with agreements reached in bilateral talks.

-- Yomiuri Shimbun, Tokyo