It will be very favorable to China if developed countries remove their subsidies to their agricultural products, said Professor Tian Weiming from China Agricultural University.

If developed members of WTO make "substantial" cuts for their trade-distorting measures as they have promised in the framework protocol on August 1, prices of farm produces in the world market will rise. As a result, China, as well as other developing counties which grow agri-products with certain competitiveness, will enjoy increase in exports, supply and farmers' income. This in turn will promote China's agricultural development.

Professor Tian specially mentioned Japan and South Korea which have intense protectionism for their agriculture. In this case, he said, Chinese exporters have to raise the prices of farm products sharply when they want to enter into these markets. If these countries would reduce their protection and domestic support for their agriculture, it will mean great chances for China's exports of farm produces.

Tian also stressed that given the prospect of a more open world market for farm produces once agreement was reached for Doha round, China should take the opportunity to improve the quality of its farm produces so that they are more competitive in the world market.

By People's Daily Online