"China's WTO session talks have entered the final stage," said Long, while attending a seminar in Beijing.

"The entry is just a matter of time."

He gave no exact timetable, but added: "it does not matter which month of the year the accession is finally realized".

Long's remarks come one month after the latest multilateral talks in Geneva on China's accession to WTO.

Progress was made, but no overall agreement was reached during the session due to disputes over China's agriculture and service sectors.

Long hoped there would be success in the next round of talks, which will start later this month or early March in Geneva.

He noted that attacks on the Chinese Government's subsidy of agricultural products were not based on sound reasoning.

"It is self-defeating for some countries to pester us over the issue," he said.

The Chinese Government has granted very little support to the agricultural sector in the past, he said.

China has a total agricultural population of 900 million, but inefficiency and structural problems have long hampered production.

Long said China will promote restructuring in the sector and open the market for foreign agricultural products, but the government will insist on WTO-consistent agricultural support measures after it becomes a WTO member.

He said the Chinese Government is resolute to keep every promise it makes in the WTO accession talks and reduce its involvement in many sectors.

The WTO will bring substantial benefits to the country and promote economic reform, Long said.

(China Daily 02/16/2001)