China has passed its annual trade policy assessment by the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the first year of its membership, a spokeswoman from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) said in Beijing on Friday.

Gao Yan said at a press conference that 16 WTO members began the assessment on September 17 this year and completed it on December 10.

The review covered areas of China's fulfillment of its WTO commitments including its trade policy and changes and transparency in policy, trade-related investment, removal of trade restrictions, intellectual property rights protection, opening of the service trade and an increase of market access.

"The assessment was positive and constructive," Gao said. "China's serious and responsible attitude and its work in carrying out its commitments have won just and objective appraisal and affirmation."

At the meeting of the WTO General Council on December 10, Gao said a total of 16 WTO members, including the United States, the European Union, Japan, China's Taipei, and Switzerland, praised China for its work in fulfilling commitments.

(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2002)