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I
would like to make the following remarks at the
conclusion of this 12th meeting of the China Working
Party.First,
the discussions and meetings that we have had over the
past two weeks mark yet another important step in China's
process of accession to the WTO.
Second,
after our September meetings, it is even clearer that
China's accession process is in its final stage. The good
news is that as in past sessions, we have achieved some
concrete progress, in specific areas of the Draft Report.
It is my intention to circulate a revised Draft Report
reflecting this progress. A large part of this progress
is due to work done in the various Plurilateral meetings,
and I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to
all the Chairpersons of the Plurilateral meetings. We
have all appreciated greatly the time and intellectual
energy that they have devoted to the responsibilities
entrusted to them. We may be turning to them in the
future as well.
Third,
we have now clearly identified the remaining sensitive
and difficult issues where breakthroughs are urgently
required. Here, I have to say that we should recognize
that compared to the objectives we set ourselves for the
September session, the progress we were able to make,
positive as it may be, fell short. Indeed, the limited
nature of the progress achieved on these vital issues
tends to put into question our target of concluding this
accession process this year.
Fourth,
we have to draw yet another important lesson from our
September meetings. The required breakthroughs to which I
have referred are only possible through fundamental
re-examination of negotiating positions in capitals and
with the necessary political guidance being given to the
Geneva negotiators to move our process to conclusion. In
other words, we are not dealing here with drafting
problems. In my view, we are not even dealing any more
— other than on a limited number of issues —
with the range of commitments for the Draft Protocol or
Draft Report. Beyond these commitments themselves, a
large part of the open issues before us has to do with
reaching multilateral agreement on how and when these
commitments will be implemented in line with WTO
requirements. Each of you knows full well what specific
issues I am referring to. I do not see a need to list
them before you.
Fifth,
the September meetings have permitted us therefore to
draw a conclusion that all negotiators need to urgently
report back to political authorities and hold further
talks amongst and between themselves as necessary. I will
be in constant touch with a view to receiving positive
signals of progress on the required breakthroughs.
Finally,
I need hardly remind you that we are all working to a
very tight schedule and that major work still remains to
be done on all fronts. Under these circumstances, it is
my strong preference to hold our next session as soon as
possible, even late October, early November. However, it
is equally true that before planning such a session in
terms of timing and agenda, we will need to be in a
position to ensure that our next session is substantively
different in nature and outcome from this session. I am
confident that with cooperation and effort from all
parties, this should be possible.
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