In a statement issued in Tokyo, Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma said China's WTO membership would help strengthen the world's free trading system.

"Rules of law would be established in trade ties between Japan and China, and that would bring about large benefits to the two countries," said Hiranuma, who is on a week-long Middle East tour.

Hiranuma also expressed the hope that Beijing's entry to the WTO would help resolve trade disputes between China and Japan.

In Geneva on Wednesday, trade negotiators reached a basic accord on remaining issues for China's entry to the world body during multilateral talks, making it likely the country will join the trade body late this year or early next year.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2001)