(28 Jun 2001)
1. Exterior Headquarters of the WTO
2. Arrival of the Chinese delegation
3. Long Yongtu, Chinese chief trade negotiator
4. Close up, WTO sign
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Chinese trade negotiator Long Yongtu
"We expect a good session because we already have a very comprehensive consensus with the United States and European Union so that already creates very favourable conditions for this working party session. So we think we are going to have a good session. Of course we're going to take a very businesslike attitude towards the session because there's still a lot of work to do. There is a hundred pages of legal documents to prepare. And as the Chinese say you have to eat your meal one mouthful by one mouthful. And so we have to deal with the text one paragraph by one paragraph. So we're going to deal with these issues in a very serious manner because we think the legal document is important and we have to be very careful. We have to be very exact and we are trying to work very hard. (Q. Do you think you'll finish before November?) This is what people are talking about. But this exercise (has been continuing) for 15 years. We're not worried about one month early or one month late. But maybe politically for China to become a member of the WTO before the (Qatar) meeting (in November) because that means China would participate in the new round if a new round will be launched. (Participating) as a full member of the WTO and we will contribute to the round."
6. Long Yongtu walks away
7. Start of the round table session showing the Chinese and US delegations
8. Wide of meeting
9. WTO chairman starting the meeting
STORYLINE:
Almost six months after their last meeting, trade negotiators were gathering on Thursday in Geneva hoping they were in the last stages of China's 15-year struggle to join the World Trade Organisation.
Representatives of the WTO's 141 existing members were meeting with a Chinese delegation to try to iron out the final details of membership for the world's most populous nation in the body which sets global rules on international trade.
China's chief negotiator, Long Yongtu, appeared optimistic, saying a "comprehensive consensus" with the United States and European Union created good working conditions.
Observers say they think it is unlikely that all the work can be completed in this meeting, which is due to end July 4.
However, if there is good progress, members may decide to meet again before the WTO's summer break at the end of July.
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