Agence France Presse | March 31, 2000
PARIS - France still wants to see rapid Chinese membership of the World Trade Organisation, despite the collapse Friday of negotiations with the European Union, the French foreign ministry said.
"Our aim remains rapid Chinese membership of the WTO, which would seal that country's commitment on the road to economic reform, its full integration into international trade and its adhesion to WTO rules," said a ministry spokesman.
But "given the significance of the economic relations between China and the European Union it is important that the bilateral agreement between the two" on conditions for China's membership "takes full account of specific European interests," he said.
Trade negotiations between China and the European Union collapsed on Friday after four days of talks, with the EU side citing some progress but saying no agreement had been struck.Agence France Presse:
