UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, yesterday praised the US-China deal, which he called a major step toward the resumption of China's "rightful role" in the multilateral trading system.
"I wish to express my heartfelt congratulations to both China and the US for the agreement which they have just concluded," Mr Annan, now visiting Beijing, said in a statement issued through a spokesman in New York.
"I hope that the separate negotiations between China and the European Union, EU, Canada and others will be handled expeditiously and successfully," he added. Mr Annan called Monday's agreement "a major step toward the culmination of China's long-standing efforts to resume its rightful role in the multilateral trading system, and to the achievement of universality of the system itself.
"Now that China is on the verge of joining the World Trade Organisation, I am hopeful that the Seattle Conference will be successful and will lead to full access to the world markets for developing countries," Mr Annan said, referring to a meeting in Washington State at the end of the month at which the WTO's members launch a new round of trade talks. - (Reuters)
The human rights group, Human Rights Watch, last night welcomed the deal in a statement:
"We welcome the deal between the US and China on WTO entry. This agreement is good for trade but also for human rights and the rule of law. Over the long term, China's membership in the WTO could increase pressure for greater openness, more press freedom, enhanced rights for workers, and an independent judiciary.
"The next step is up to Congress. Before giving China permanent NTR [Normal Trade Relations] status, we hope Congress will insist on limited, meaningful steps to improve human rights," the statement said.