Brussels, 14/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - Negotiations this week in Geneva on China's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) entered into the last lap and it is hoped that Beijing will be given an informal "green light" on Monday, and Taipei the next day. The relevant group, which foresaw finalising work on Thursday, decided to postpone work when learning of the tragedy that has hit America.
"Such a dreadful thing has happened. We must review the programme", said Long Yongtu, China's Chief Negotiator. No-one opposed prolonging the discussions, even though there is little time left before the Doha ministerial conference when the 142 should officially open the door of the institution to the People's Republic of China and to Taiwan (as Chinese Taipei).
Some difficulties have still to be resolved, mainly the Euro-American dispute over the treatment of providers of insurance services (Beijing hopes to put a 50% ceiling on foreign participation, while the United States is seeking to maintain the preferential situation of their giant AIG, which is a pioneer figure in China, where all its assets and operations are currently in its hands). According to Karl Falkenberg, who leads the European team, "there are still a certain number of important issues to be solved and passages to be clarified together". "Yesterday's terrible events have held things up but I believe it is still reasonably possible to stick to the timetable", he said. He nonetheless hoped "concessions will be made here and there to manage it". Talks continued on this issue, while another potential obstacle disappeared, with the conclusion of a bilateral agreement between Mexico and Beijing.