China closes in on WTO membership
Chinese trade experts have intensified efforts to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) with meetings continuing in Geneva. China first applied 15 years ago, but a deal now looks likely after prolonged negotiations.
On Friday 13 July the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2008 Summer Olympics to China, and WTO membership doesn't seem to be far behind.
WTO members want to formally admit China during the ministerial meeting in Doha, Qatar, in November, so pressure is increasing on both sides to reach an agreement.
Several problems stand in the way of membership, including the technical definition of a company and the workings of China's proposed system of quotas. However, Beijing has announced it would let foreign companies sell shares in China and would also drop price controls on 128 goods and services.
China is also in talks with Mexico over a bilateral trade agreement, and the details of that agreement are likely to be looked upon with great interest by other members of the WTO.
China's attempts to enter the WTO and the successful Olympic bid have both attracted criticism from human rights activists who say the country's record must improve before it can be accepted into international bodies.
