(15 May 2000) Eng/Ger/Nat
The European Union's chief trade negotiator Pascal Lamy has arrived in Beijing to resume talks on China's entry into the World Trade Organisation.
Lamy said it was time for both sides to compromise on the issues which caused a breakdown in earlier talks between Beijing and the E-U.
European businessmen in China say the European Union should not cave in to Chinese pressure to achieve a quick deal in areas of concern like telecommunications and insurance.
Expressing guarded optimism on hopes for a deal, Europe's top trade negotiator, Pascal Lamy, arrived in Beijing to continue talks that China hopes will smooth its entry into the W-T-O.
Asked if the chances of reaching an agreement on China's W-T-O accession were better this time than during his last round of negotiations in March, Lamy said that compromises were the key.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We all have to show flexibility if we want to get somewhere."
SUPER CAPTION: Pascal Lamy, European Commissioner for Trade
He offered no promises, just cautious optimism.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm never either optimistic or pessimistic. I'm in the field."
SUPER CAPTION: Pascal Lamy, European Commissioner for Trade
The E-U wants greater concessions from China than granted to the United States in a W-T-O agreement last November.
And European businesses are keen for China to join the W-T-O but also want certain conditions to be met.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"I think the most important issue is to reduce the import tax. That also concerns the most companies. To reduce the import tax to the W-T-O level is a general matter of concern."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Jorg-M. Rudolph, German Chamber of Commerce
E-U officials have said that agreement covered only about 80 percent of their needs, and they have pushed for more market-opening concessions from China in telecommunications, financial services and automobiles, as well as for tariff reductions on imports.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"They want the EU to stick to those demands which were put forward the last time, especially in view of the tax on automobiles and automobile parts imports. In view of the telecommunications industry and majority shareholdings. So the message was very clear. Stay firm, Mr. Lamy."
SUPER CAPTION: Dr. Jorg-M. Rudolph, German Chamber of Commerce
Beijing is eager to strike an agreement with the E-U - the largest group still not supporting China's W-T-O entry - in advance of a critical vote in the U-S Congress later this week.
China has spent the past 14 years trying to enter the organisation.
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