Hopes of making progress in negotiations on China's membership of the World Trade Organisation were increased yesterday by what trade officials called a more flexible stance by Beijing.
The last set of talks in Geneva in September ended in deadlock as China and its trading partners sparred over the details of exactly how and when China intended to apply WTO rules.
However, China was reportedly more flexible during an informal meeting yesterday of the WTO working party drafting Beijing's entry terms.
Following visits by senior officials to Beijing last month, both the US and European Union have said it remains possible to conclude China's WTO negotiations this year.
Lightening the atmosphere has been the resolution of the EU's bilateral differences with China, notably over the award of insurance licences.
However, many issues remain outstanding in what is expected to be an intensive week of talks in Geneva.
Prospects of meeting the target for completing talks have also not been helped by the absence of the working party chairman, Mr Pierre-Louis Girard of Switzerland.
