In final tally, more gains than losses

Good timing was more crucial than a perfect result, said Wei Jianguo, a former Chinese deputy minister of commerce, commenting on China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) 10 years ago.

"Without entering the WTO, China could not have become either the world's second-largest economy or its largest exporter. The benefits China gained are much greater than its losses," Wei said.

It took China about 15 years to join the WTO and the most strenuous part of the negotiations was with the United States 12 years ago, said Wei, then an assistant minister who was involved in the negotiations in Beijing.