Foreign Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng warned Friday that the real
negative impact of China's WTO membership lies ahead and there
should be no let-up in the efforts to cope with it.
"In the first year into the WTO, many people did not feel the
adverse impact as had been expected," he said. "Nevertheless, the
real adverse impact is yet to come," said Shi, who is attending the
on-going annual session of the national legislature.
"We must persist in our efforts to offset the adverse impact and
there should be no let-up in the efforts."
The minister, who signed the WTO Protocol on behalf of the Chinese
government, said that the WTO membership did not bring much
negative impact on China's economic development and market as
expected in the first year. The import of such major commodities as
farm produce, steel and automobiles did not bring much pressure to
bear upon the domestic market.
Shi attributed the good situation to the "successful negotiations"
and "full preparedness."
However, Shi warned, some industries and enterprises in China had
not experienced any major impact and "tougher challenges are yet to
come."
To
honor its commitments to the WTO, China will gradually lower its
tariff rates, lift quota control and give foreign competitors wider
access to the Chinese market, the minister said. Internationally,
there will be more complaints against China's trade protection
while trade friction between China and some other countries is
being intensified.
"We must, therefore, under no circumstances take it lightly. We
must continue to do well in our counter measures and seize the
opportunities to take up greater challenges," Shi said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2003)