The body's 2002 budget was set at just over 143 million Swiss francs (US$87 million) said spokesman, Keith Rockwell. In addition, there will be 15 million francs (US$9 million) to help poorer countries prepare for the negotiations. The money will be paid by the WTO's 143 members.

Trade ministers agreed last month to launch the new round of talks, which will last at least until the beginning of 2004. WTO Director-General Mike Moore has restructured some of the body's departments to take account of its new workload.

Wednesday's session was the first meeting of the ruling general council at which China attended as a full member of the WTO. The world's most populous country joined the body that sets rules on international trade last week, after more than 15 years of trying.

Long Yongtu, China's chief negotiator on membership, said he was very pleased to be able to speak at the meeting.

"China will make its best efforts to play a positive and constructive role and to work with other WTO members in order to consolidate and improve the multilateral trading system and to make its own contribution to the development of the world trade and economy," he said.

Long, who is based in Beijing, attended the meeting because China has not yet named a permanent ambassador to the WTO.

Around 30 countries are still seeking to join the WTO, including Russia and Saudi Arabia. But two countries that want to join are finding it difficult even to be recognized as candidates.

Iran applied to join more than five years ago, but its membership was blocked by the United States, which claims Iran is a terrorist nation and maintains sanctions against it. US Ambassador Linnet Deily told the meeting that Washington is reviewing its position - the same statement made by the United States at WTO meetings all year.

The possible membership of Syria, which applied to join in October, did not even get on the agenda

(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2001)