In May 1998, the 11th Session of the China-U.S Joint Economic Committee was held in Washington, D.C. At the meeting, both sides had a thorough discussion on international and domestic issues of common interest.) In December 1998, the 12th Session of the China -U.S. Joint Committee on Commerce and Trade was held in Washington, D.C. The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues of common interest and reached a series of agreements on trade and economic cooperation in various areas. In March 1999, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Dally led a trans-sectoral infrastructure mission to Beijing, and signed with the Chinese side several agreements and memoranda. From April 6 to 14, 1999, Premier Zhu Rongji paid an official visit to the U.S. Premier Zhu and President Clinton released a joint statement on China's accession to the WTO. Premier Zhu and Vice President Gore jointly chaired the Second Session of the China-U.S. Forum on Environment and Development. The two sides also signed a series of protocols and letters of intention in the areas of agriculture, civil aviation, customs, energy, environment, etc.
On March 7, 2000, the 13th Session of the China-U.S. Joint Committee on Commerce and Trade was held in Beijing. Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng and U.S. Secretary of Commerce William Dally co-chaired the meeting. The two sides exchanged views on such issues of common interest as China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with the U.S., China's accession to the WTO, trade and investment, sector cooperation, commerce law, etc. The two sides issued a joint statement at the conclusion of the meeting. President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji met with the U.S. delegation.
On October 27, 2000, the 13th Session of the China-U.S Joint Economic Committee was held in Washington, D.C. Chinese Minister of Finance Xiang Huaicheng and U.S. Secretary of Treasury Lawrence Summers co-chaired the meeting. The two sides had a discussion on various issues, such as macro economy & banking, enforcement of international law, economic structure reform, regional economic development, among other matters.
4. Bilateral Talks on China's Accession to the WTO
After the U.S. bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade on May 8, China-U.S. bilateral talks on China's accession to the WTO was suspended. The U.S. side repeatedly asked to resume the talks. To that end, President Clinton wrote to President Jiang expressing the hope to continue the WTO talks. President Jiang agreed in his return letter. Before the APEC meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, the two countries resumed contacts on the issue of China's accession to the WTO. On September 11, President Jiang Zemin and President Clinton met in the APEC Leaders Informal Meeting in Auckland and exchanged views on China's accession to the WTO. Shi Guangsheng, Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC) and U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky held talks on the WTO issue during the APEC meeting.
(From November 10 to 15, the Chinese Government Delegation headed by Minister Shi Guangsheng and the U.S. Government Delegation headed by Ambassador Barshefsky and Mr. Gene Sperling, Director of the U.S. National Economic Council, held negotiations in Beijing on China's accession to the WTO. The two sides singed on November 15 the Bilateral Agreement Between the Government of China and the Government of the U.S. on China's Accession to the WTO.)