(23 Feb 2000) Natural Sound
Chinese and European negotiators are continuing talks on China's long-sought entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The talks began in Beijing on Monday following negotiations in Brussels last month.
It's the first time China and the European Union have held talks since the U-S agreed to China's entry into the W-T-O last November.
The European Union and Chinese delegates continued their talks on China's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Beijing on Wednesday.
China has been trying to join the W-T-O for the past 13 years, but it needs the consent of all 135 W-T-O members to enter the body which sets the rules for world trade.
The E-U is among just 13 members who have not reached an agreement with Beijing.
The European Union's delegation is being led by Hans-Friedrich Beseler, the European Commission's Director General for Trade, who's seeking greater market access in China.
China's negotiating team being led by Long Yongtu, a top trade negotiator.
An E-U source in Brussels said on Tuesday that after two days of talks the E-U and China weren't yet close to a deal.
European Union Trade Commissioner, Pascal Lamy, could travel to Beijing to clinch a deal if sufficient progress is made.
The E-U won't say what the stumbling blocks are, but says Lamy will decide whether to travel to Beijing based on the outcome of the third day of negotiations.
Before the latest round of China-E-U talks, European access to China's car and insurance markets and tariffs on 90 products were the main points of contention.
The Europeans are expected to press China to improve on some of the concessions made to the Americans in these areas.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
