In 2006, the Department of World Trade (DWT) under the Ministry of Commerce played an important role in developing improved economic dialog with world trading partners through more experienced negotiating skills and stronger services.

Last July, the Doha Round talks became deadlocked, then restarted in November with a lower profile. The DWT was highly praised for making substantive contributions to reviving the talks.

As part of efforts to promote ongoing China-Australia free trade talks, the department set up four negotiating teams covering the agricultural, non- agricultural and service sectors. Later another 20 departments joined in the negotiations.

Last month, during the seventh round of talks, China presented a 300-page report on detailed tax reductions and a list of barriers to service trade and investment, which brings the talks enter onto substantive stage.

Last April, the WTO inspected China's trade policy, when the department provided statistics and written replies to 500 questions raised by 26 WTO members.

A Chinese government policy statement was also issued, which helped clarify understanding of China's trade system; it received their approval.

The author is director of the Department of World Trade under the Ministry of Commerce.

source: China Daily