The Chinese government is making swift progress in implementing its commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO) since its accession at the beginning of 2002.
In accordance with the set timetable, China has gradually pushed on with its work concerning tariff reduction, reforming administrative approving systems and improving transparency.
In January, China cut its import tariff from 15.3 percent to 12 percent, among which the industrial products average tariff rate fell from 14.7 percent to 11.3 percent, and farm goods rate (aquatic products excluded) dropped from 18.8 percent to 15.8 percent.
In regard to non-tariff measures, from January 1, China canceled quota license management of grains, wool, cottons, some chemical products, fertilizer and some kinds of tires. New regulations and temporary provisions have come out for future quota management.
Besides, China has rectified and relinquished laws and provisions that were contradictory to WTO rules. New regulations on anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures have taken effect since the first day of 2002.
With overseas law offices, telecommunication enterprises, financial organizations, international ocean shipping, audio products companies and travel agencies concerned, China has also promulgated new laws and provisions authorizing foreign-funding of service trades.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) said China will formulate more detailed regulations including temporary provisions managing foreign-funded enterprises and rules concerning joint stock venture authorization.
As intellectual property right is concerned, China is now modifying detailed rules of the trade mark law, copy right law and medicine management laws, so as to meet the demand of relevant WTO rules.
The legislative branches have adjusted the three laws on joint ventures, cooperative enterprises and foreign-funded corporations, as well as their corresponding detailed rules.
Those rules involving foreign exchange balances, local proportions, export performances as well as the special high fee and double standards in charging foreigners have been changed.
In the field of transparency, the China-WTO Notification Enquiry Center under MOFTEC began its work upon the first day of China's joining the world trade body, providing WTO-related information for the public.
As a responsible country and a WTO member, China is both confident and capable of strictly implementing undertakings made during entry negotiations in line with the set timetable, said MOFTEC Minister Shi Guangsheng.
(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2002)
