"The WTO should balance the interests of developed countries and those of developing countries in laying down new international trade policies," said Long.

He said the Uruguay Round of WTO negotiations, presided over by developed countries, passed many rules that are detrimental to the economic development of developing countries.

But the world trade body has moved forward to redress the issue, Long said, listing as a good example the priority that the WTO agrees to give to public interest over intellectual property protection when the two come into conflict.

The vice-minister suggested that the WTO should provide technical assistance to developing countries, help them understand the procedures and content of rule-making and enhance their capacity to participate in the new round of negotiations.

He said helping developing countries develop and nurturing the growth of their markets are as important as market opening, if not more important.

"It's meaningless to talk about market access if these developing countries are too poor to have actual markets," he said.

The former China WTO chief negotiator made the speech at the two-day Forum on the WTO and China's Economy in the 21st Century, which opened on Thursday as part of the Fifth China Beijing International High-Tech Industries Week.

He said the WTO could have more well-knit rules on dumping, subsidies and safeguard measures to fend off such actions.

The WTO dispute settlement body could also become more efficient through shortening the time needed for settling a case. It now takes a year for the WTO to pass judgment on a case, by which time serious losses may have been incurred, he said.

The vice-minister said China is prepared to take an active part in the new round of trade talks to effect these changes.

WTO Deputy Director-General Miguel Rodriguez Mendoza, also speaking at the forum, said the new round of WTO negotiations will offer abundant opportunities to improve agriculture trade and market access and urged China to play its due part in producing new and better WTO rules.

Long said China's WTO membership is expected to have far-reaching and significant influences on its economic development in the 21st century.

"China's commitment to abiding by international trade policies after its WTO accession will not only improve its international image as a responsible big country but also promote the rule of law in its new market-orientated economy," he said.

WTO membership gives China the right to demand that other countries abide by these same international trade rules in treating Chinese firms, which will help these firms expand overseas.

China's commitment to opening its markets with its entry into the WTO will help alleviate worries among the international community that China's rapid economic growth is threatening their own existence, Long said.

"A rapidly evolving market poses no threats to the world and, rather, is beneficial to global economic growth, if it is open," he said.

By opening its own market, China will be able to sharpen the competitiveness of domestic companies and be entitled to demand that other countries open their markets in return.

China will also be able to seek resolution of the inevitable and increasing trade disputes with other countries within the legal framework of the WTO instead of through bilateral talks, which sometimes weigh on bilateral diplomatic relations, said Long.

(China Daily May 24, 2002)