In the 10 years since China became a member of the WTO, fundamental changes can be felt in both the country and the world, according to recent comments in the international media.

On Sept 19, the Chinese-language website of the Financial Times quoted Henry Gao of Singapore Management University saying that China has evolved from a passive "taker" of the existing rules to a member that will "shake" the rules for its own interests and even make new ones.

"And if openness implies compliance with the commitments China made in its accession package, here, too, the record is broadly positive," Gao said.

A South China Morning Post article by Gary Huang on Nov 10 said China's move into the WTO reshaped global trade and geopolitics, resulting in a world significantly different from one that had been dominated by developed economies.

It said China's accession also provided great impetus to global economic growth by opening up the world's largest untapped market.

Zorna, Bakovic, a reporter of the Slovenian news agency STA, noted that "many of the daily commodities, automobiles and electronic appliances are made in China".

"Maybe 10 years later, we will use renminbi as much as euros and US dollars. More Slovenians will study in and work in China - all these kinds of changes will be possible as China becomes a more influential member in the WTO."

The Chinese-language Singapore United Morning Post newspaper said that because of its WTO membership, China is now one of the largest trading countries in the world.

The newspaper noted that China has surpassed Japan to become the world's largest creditor country and its currency has become more popular in international trade and the foreign exchange market.

"All these happened because of China's entry into the WTO," it said.

In addition to the media, the top world trade officials and business leaders also spoke highly of China's role in the WTO.

Former US trade representative Charlene Barshefsky said that China's role is "unique, positive and constructive".

As a witness of these historic changes brought by China's WTO membership, she believes China is among the biggest benefits to the global trade system.

Swedish Trade Minister Ewa Bjorling said China's entry into the WTO has promoted the nation's economic growth and helped increase the importance of developing countries in the global trade system.

Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial president Fumio Ohtsubo said that "China used to be our largest manufacturing base and now is our largest market (because of its entry into the WTO)".

"It is a market full of opportunities for any big electric company in the world."