China program continues to help LDCs into WTO

GENEVA -- China announced on Thursday to continue a program at the World Trade Organization to assist the accession and integration of the least-developed countries into the multilateral trading system.

WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy and China's Ambassador to the WTO Yi Xiaozhun signed a Memorandum of Understanding, extending the "China's LDCs and Accessions Program", known as the China Program, for another year after its successful implementation in the first year.

China renewed its contribution of $400,000 to the program.

The China Program, initiated in July 2011 under the WTO Aid for Trade Initiative, aims at strengthening LDCs' participation in WTO activities and helping those not yet members to join the organization through internship with WTO and roundtable meetings, among others.

"The activities carried out under the China Program have contributed to the advancement of the shared priorities of the WTO membership to support the world poorest countries, specifically in the area of WTO accession," Lamy said.

Yi, for his part, said that the program has contributed to increased familiarization by LDCs with the accession process and WTO rules and operating procedures, thereby facilitating their WTO membership and participation.

"China looks forward to continuing its fruitful co-operation with the Secretariat for the benefit of LDCs, as part of China's consistent support for the WTO's Aid for Trade Initiative," he said.