China serious in honoring WTO accession commitments, says premier
( 2003-12-09 11:10) (Xinhua)
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Monday the Chinese government has been very
serious and earnest in fulfilling its World Trade Organization accession
commitments.
Wen Jiabao made the statement while answering questions after making a speech
at a luncheon hosted by the American Bankers Association.
Wen said that China had reduced its overall tariff from 15 percent before its
accession to the WTO to 11 percent in 2003, while the average tariff for WTO
members now stands at 10.5 percent. "Our efforts to bring down our tariff will
continue and it will further drop to 10.5 percent."
At the same time, China has done away non-tariff barriers for 480 items, said
the Chinese premier, adding that China had amended over 3,000 pieces of
WTO-related legislation within two years.
China is a developing country and its development will never pose a threat to
others, said the premier.
Over 100 people including former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and
President of the American Bankers Association Don Ogilvie attended the
luncheon.
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