Charity briefs

Former watchdog calls for more transparency

Green palette for children's art contest

BEIJING - Yang Ziju was deeply impressed by the scene of antelopes and zebras grazing in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Southeast Kenya during her visit to the east African country in July. The nine-year-old girl won the trip with her painting advocating conservation in a competition under the Chinese Children's Environmental Education Programme.

Digging out new ways to save energy on an industrial scale

SHANGHAI - Ren Wanli, 33, an excavator operator in Beijing, called his family immediately after he won first prize in Operator Idol, an eco-operator contest to find the most fuel-efficient worker in the digger business.

IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Tough going for foreign retailers

China continues to be an attractive destination for foreign retailing businesses seeking development, but not all companies who venture into the Middle Kingdom has found that life was easy.

The changing face of the retail market

After joining the World Trade Organization on Dec 11, 2001, China's economy was set to undergo a significant change. Businesses were due to gain access to new export markets and foreign companies would be able to sell their products and services more freely to China's 1.3 billion people.

An expansion plan sparked by confidence

Electronics retailer Media Markt China has only been in the Chinese market for about a year, but it is already planning to expand rapidly throughout the country.

Historic changes, challenges ahead

Minister of commerce: Progress and global benefits since China's accession to the WTO

First ambassador: Growth and experience from WTO

The WTO multilateral trade system has been beneficial to China's economic development, with its foreign trade averaging annual growth of 22 percent since the nation joined the world trade body, Sun Zhenyu, chairman of China Society for World Trade Organization Study, said at a recent conference.

Media, minister comments on China's role

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.

Lamy: China's membership has advanced global trade

China's entry into WTO is a "win-win situation" for both China and other member countries, Pascal Lamy, director-general of the World Trade Organization, told a seminar in Tianjin on Sept 16 to celebrate China's 10th anniversary as a WTO member.

Milestones in WTO membership

Dec 11, 2001: The Protocol on the Accession of the People's Republic of China takes effect as the country becomes the 143rd member of theWTO. China begins to participate as a WTO member at the Doha round of negotiations.