中国政府政策声明
目录
一、宏观经济环境
强劲的增长和巨大的机会
不断深化的改革和开放
有效的宏观经济政策
发展仍面临的困难和挑战
二、贸易政策的发展
支持和维护多边贸易体制
切实履行加入WTO的承诺
积极参与“多哈回合”谈判
稳步推进区域贸易自由化进程
妥善处理贸易纠纷
促进与发展中成员的经济合作
三、展望未来
建设和谐社会与和谐世界
深化改革和提高开放水平
中国政府政策声明
一、宏观经济环境
强劲的增长和巨大的机会
2001年中国加入WTO以来，中国政府继续坚定不移地实行1979年以来所采取的改革开放政策，中国经济运行的体制环境随着改革的不断深化日益完善。与此同时，中国政府采取了稳健有效的宏观经济政策，使中国经济在4年中保持了平稳和强劲的增长势头。
根据最新的统计数据，中国的国内生产总值（GDP）从2001年的109655亿元(13248亿美元)增长到了2005年的182321亿元(22257亿美元)，5年年均增长9.5%。人均GDP在这一时期跨越了1000美元,按当年平均汇率折算，2005年为1702美元。
中国的进出口贸易和吸引的外国直接投资高速增长。2001年中国货物贸易的进出口总额为5096亿美元，2005年增长到14221亿美元。2001年至2005年，中国实际利用外资平均每年近550亿美元。
截至2005年底，中国累计批准设立外商投资企业552942家，累计合同外资金额12856.73亿美元，累计实际使用外资6224.26亿美元。利用外资是中国对外开放基本国策的重要内容。改革开放以来，中国通过吸收外商直接投资，促进了社会主义市场经济体制的建立完善，推进了开放型经济发展，引进了大量国外资金、先进适用技术和管理经验，培育了一大批技术和管理人才，提高了国内技术创新水平，带动了国内产业结构优化升级，创造了大量就业机会，增加了国家财政收入，增强了中国的综合国力和国际竞争优势。
中国经济的快速增长为中国消除贫困、提高人民生活水平奠定了基础。根据对全国31个省、自治区、直辖市6.8万个农村住户的抽样调查和当年农村居民生活消费价格指数而制定的中国贫困人口的标准，由2000年的625元上调到了2005年的683元。根据这一标准，中国农村贫困人口由2000年的3209万人降低到了2005年的2365万人。2005年，中国城镇居民人均可支配收入达10493元，扣除价格因素，比2000年实际增长58.3%，年均增长9.6%；农村居民家庭人均纯收入达3255元，扣除价格因素，比2000年实际增长29.2%，年均增长5.3%。
经济增长也为世界各国提供了广阔的市场，为各国投资者带来了机遇，为世界消费者提供了价廉物美的消费品，也为世界经济的增长提供了强劲动力。从2001年到2005年，中国进口了总共21728亿美元的商品，外国投资者从中国总共汇出了579.40亿美元的利润。中国近年来还一直是服务贸易的净进口国，对外国服务提供者具有很强的吸引力。WTO的统计显示，2004年中国服务贸易进口额为716亿美元，贸易逆差96亿美元。世界银行公布的数据认为，2000年到2004年，中国经济增长对世界经济增长的平均贡献率为13%。
不断深化的改革和开放
改革开放是中国的基本国策。1979年开始推行的市场化取向的改革，使中国的经济体制发生了根本性的变化。1992年10月，中国正式确立了建立和完善社会主义市场经济体制的目标。此后，经济体制改革全面推进，并在财税、金融、投资、外汇、外贸、价格等方面取得了重点突破，为社会主义市场经济体制的建立奠定了坚实的基础。到2000年，中国初步建立了社会主义市场经济体制，开始进入完善社会主义市场经济体制的阶段。
加入WTO以来的4年里，深化经济体制改革一直是中国政府工作的核心内容。这段时间里最为重要的一些改革举措包括：
在非公有制经济的发展方面，经过1999年3月和2004年3月两次修正后的《中华人民共和国宪法》第十一条规定，在法律规定范围内的个体经济、私营经济等非公有制经济，是社会主义市场经济的重要组成部分；国家保护个体经济、私营经济等非公有制经济的合法的权利和利益。2005年2月，中国国务院发布的《关于鼓励支持和引导个体私营等非公有制经济发展的若干意见》中明确提出，要消除影响非公有制经济市场准入的各种障碍，鼓励它们通过并购、控股、参股等多种形式参与国有企业的改组、改制和改造，确立它们完全平等的市场主体地位，实现公平的待遇。
目前在中国，非公有制经济包括外商投资企业、个体工商户和私营企业。到2004年，在中国注册运营的外商投资企业约有28万家；到2005年9月底，在中国注册的个体工商户为2466.2万户；注册的私营企业达419.1万户。1992至2004年，私营企业户数年均增长31.9%，已经成为中国数量最多、比例最大的企业群体。
在国有资产管理体制和国有企业改革方面，中国政府于2003年设立了国有资产管理机构，统一承担国有资产出资人职能；让资不抵债、扭亏无望的企业宣告破产并退出市场；加快对国有企业的公司制改造，实现国有企业投资主体的多元化，推动股份制成为公有制的主要实现形式；同时完善国有企业的法人治理结构，加强公司治理。
国有企业的数量在过去的4年里明显下降。2001年全国共有17.4万户国有企业，2004年减少到13.8万户，减少了26%。2004年，占全国国有企业（包括国有控股企业）净资产66.9%的2903家大型企业，已有一半改制为多元股东的公司制企业。在全国范围内已有80%的国有中小型企业通过改制实现了产权多元化。
在财税制度方面，2004年在东北地区实行了增值税由生产型转向消费型的改革试点；2001－2003年将金融保险业营业税税率每年降低一个百分点，支持金融体制改革。积极推进了部门预算、国库集中收付、政府采购等预算管理制度改革，不断提高财政资金使用效益。2002年实施所得税收入中央与地方按比例分享的改革，调整优化财政转移支付结构，加大对欠发达地区支持力度，逐步推进省以下财政管理体制改革，促进地区间均衡发展和基本公共服务均等化。
在金融体制方面，货币政策和银行监管职能实现了分设，2003年银行业监督管理委员会的设立加强了对银行、金融资产管理公司、信托投资公司及其他存款类金融机构的统一监管，确立了央行、银监会、证监会、保监会四大机构分工合作的金融分业监管体制。
国有商业银行股份制改革取得阶段性进展。中国银行、建设银行已基本完成股份制改造，其中建设银行已在香港上市。工商银行财务重组基本完成，并已成功改制为股份有限公司。改革旨在建立现代金融企业制度，健全法人治理结构，转换经营机制，实现可持续发展，提高国有商业银行的国际竞争力。
人民币汇率的形成机制于2005年7月21日进行了改革，开始实行以市场供求为基础、参考一篮子货币进行调节、有管理的浮动汇率制度。中国政府在决定汇率改革的方式、内容和时机时，充分考虑了对宏观经济、金融稳定、经济增长和就业等方面的影响，考虑了对周边国家、地区以及世界经济和金融的影响。新的汇率制度运行以来，人民币汇率的灵活性提高，保持了在合理、均衡水平上的基本稳定。
中国外汇管理体制改革的长远目标是实现包括经常项目可兑换与资本项目可兑换在内的人民币完全可兑换。中国已于1996年实现了人民币经常项目可兑换，并一直积极稳妥地推进资本项目可兑换，人民币资本项目可兑换程度逐步提高。中国政府将稳步推进利率市场化改革，完善有管理的浮动汇率制度，逐步实现人民币资本项目可兑换，维护金融稳定和金融安全。
农业税收体制也进行了根本性的改革。截至2005年底，全国31个省、直辖市和自治区中，已有28个完全取消了农业税。2005年12月29日，十届全国人大常委会第十九次会议通过决定，已实行48年的《农业税条例》自2006年1月1日起废止。2006年，在全国全部取消农业税，原定5年全部取消农业税的目标提前2年实现。
投资管理体制的改革取消了原来所有投资项目必须按规模大小分别由各级政府进行审批的制度。企业投资项目与政府资金无关的，除了列入公开发布的目录需要进行核准的之外，一律备案即可。简化了外商投资审批手续，提高了审批效率。
自1979年以来，中国对外开放的区域从沿海到内地，从东向西逐步推进。1980年深圳、珠海、汕头、厦门经济特区的设立，标志着对外开放进程的起步。80年代中后期，对外开放的范围由特区逐步扩大到了沿海地区、海南省及上海浦东，以及长江沿岸城市和边境、内陆的一系列城市。2000年，伴随着西部大开发战略的实施，对外开放进一步扩大到了广大的西部地区。
2001年12月，中国加入WTO，标志着中国的对外开放进入了新的阶段。加入WTO后，原来区域性推进的对外开放转变为了全方位的对外开放；开放领域由传统的货物贸易向服务贸易延伸；市场准入的水平进一步提高，市场准入条件也随着一系列法规和规章的制定而更加法制化，更加透明和规范；最惠国待遇、国民待遇等WTO的基本原则和中国加入WTO的承诺成为中国的对外开放政策所参照的基本依据。
在对外开放的进程中，外商投资促进了中国国民经济的发展。2004年，外商投资企业的工业增加值占全国工业增加值的比重达28%，出口额占全国出口总额的57%。外商投资企业直接雇用的就业人员为2400万人，约占全国非农从业人员的10%。
加入WTO以来，中国的利用外资政策随着加入承诺的落实而更加开放，更具可预见性。中国政府在今后将进一步完善利用外资的法律法规和政策措施，鼓励和引导外资投入高科技产业、现代服务业、现代农业，着力吸引跨国公司把更高技术水平、更大增值含量的加工制造环节和研发机构转移到中国，推动外资企业在技术研发、资源采购、市场开拓等方面同国内企业开展合作，更加注重环境保护、资源节约和可持续发展，提高利用外资的质量和水平。
有效的宏观经济政策
中国政府宏观经济政策的总体目标是要保持经济平稳较快的增长。2001年到2004年，中国政府的宏观经济政策总体上保持了连续和稳定，坚持了1998年亚洲金融危机以后所采取的扩大国内需求，促进经济增长的方针，持续实施了积极的财政政策和稳健的货币政策。
4年中，中国政府继续了亚洲金融危机之后国家财政每年发行长期建设国债的做法，其中2001年和2002年均达到1500亿元。长期建设国债重点用于中西部地区和农村的基础设施建设，城镇环境保护设施以及教育和卫生设施等的建设。
2001年至2005年，中国新建公路35万公里，其中高速公路2.4万公里，超过2000年以前的高速公路长度总和，新建铁路投产里程7063公里,青藏铁路全线铺通。中国对农村电网进行了大规模的建设和改造，增加了节水灌溉的耕地面积，加快了农村中小型水利设施、人畜饮水和农村公路的建设，加固了数万公里的大江大河大湖堤防。
中国还启动了重点地区生态环境建设综合治理、天然林资源保护、天然草场保护和中西部地区坡耕地退耕还林还草试点工程，建成了一批“三河三湖”流域水污染治理项目和城市供水、道路、垃圾和污水处理项目。
中国还以建设全国疾病预防控制体系和突发公共卫生事件医疗救治体系为重点，加快公共卫生体系建设，省、地市和县级一大批疾病预防控制中心、紧急救援中心和传染病治疗机构投入使用。对基础教育的投入力度进一步加大，增加了对农村和西部偏远地区的教育补贴，各类学校的教学、实验和学生生活设施得到了极大的改善。
积极的财政政策有效地带动了企业和社会投资，刺激了社会需求，增加了就业，为保持经济平稳较快的增长发挥了重要作用。在多年实施的积极财政政策和稳健货币政策的累积作用下，中国经济从2003年开始，进入了新一轮周期的上升阶段。
2003年下半年起，中国经济出现了部分行业和地区投资增长过快、原材料、能源等基础产品价格上涨加快等迹象。对此，中国政府在保持宏观经济政策稳定和连续的同时，实施了一系列有针对性的宏观调控措施，包括：调整优化财政支出结构，增加对“三农”（农业、农村、农民）和教育、科技、公共卫生等公共领域的投入；合理调控财政投资特别是长期建设国债项目资金的方向、规模和力度；提高商业银行存款准备金率；扩大金融机构贷款利率浮动区间；通过制定严格的行业准入标准控制高耗能、高污染、高排放的项目等。这些宏观调控措施有效地抑制了投资规模过快增长和部分行业生产能力扩张过快的势头，促进了经济结构的调整，避免了经济发展中的局部问题演变成为全局性的问题。
2005年，中国政府根据经济发展新的形势，对宏观经济政策进行了调整。1998年亚洲金融危机以来采取的扩张性的积极财政政策开始转向中性的稳健财政政策。长期建设国债的发行规模适当调减，中央财政赤字适当减少并保持合理规模，重在传递调控导向信号，既要防止通货膨胀苗头的继续扩大，又要防止通货紧缩趋势的重新出现。注重调整财政支出结构和国债项目资金投向结构，加强经济社会发展中的薄弱环节，扩大消费需求，促进经济社会协调发展。继续优化税收制度，大力支持收入分配、教育、社会保障、公共卫生和金融体制等制度改革。努力促进财政增收节支，提高财政保障能力和支出效率。
在货币政策方面，2002年以来，中国坚持实施稳健的货币政策，根据经济周期运行的阶段性特点，灵活调整货币政策调控的力度和方向，不断加大市场化手段的运用，综合运用价格型和数量型货币政策工具，保持货币、信贷适度合理增长，注重与其他宏观经济政策相互协调，有力地维护了国民经济“高增长、低物价”的良好发展态势。
针对亚洲金融危机后国民经济运行持续存在的消费物价水平偏低、内需偏弱的状况，中国人民银行（中央银行）2002年再次下调人民币存贷款利率，这是1996年以来的第八次降息。2003年以后，中国经济呈现出增长速度加快、活力增强的良好发展态势，但也出现了局部趋向过热的迹象，通货膨胀压力有所加大。中国人民银行及时调整货币政策操作，先后两次提高法定存款准备金率，上调金融机构存贷款基准利率，并对房地产等过热行业实行差别化的结构性信贷调控政策。此外，针对近年来外汇占款和基础货币增加较多的情况，中国人民银行不断加大公开市场操作力度，吸收市场过剩流动性，控制货币信贷的过快增长。
2005年，中国人民银行继续执行稳健的货币政策，适度下调金融机构超额存款准备金利率，放开同业存款利率，加强本外币利率政策协调，并继续加大公开市场操作力度，调节银行体系流动性，货币市场运行平稳。
发展仍面临的困难和挑战
尽管20多年来，中国的发展取得了很大的成就，但是作为一个有着13亿人口的发展中大国，中国在发展道路上仍面临巨大的挑战和艰巨的任务。
根据世界银行的统计和计算方法，2004年中国的经济总量只相当于美国的16.6%；人均GDP只相当于美国的3.6%、日本的4.0%；全球人均GDP的1/5，在世界上排名第129位。
在中国农村，2005年末，生活在年人均纯收入683元以下的贫困人口还有2365万；生活在684元至944元之间的低收入贫困人口有4067万。在中国,生活水平低于日均1美元标准的人口还有近两亿人。中国城镇每年需要解决就业的人口近2400万，并有1亿多农村富余劳动力要转移就业。
中国经济社会的发展在东西部地区之间、城乡之间不平衡，并且差距仍在扩大。1980年东部地区人均GDP分别相当于中、西部地区的1.53倍和1.89倍，1990年则扩大到1.64倍和1.92倍，分别扩大了7.2%和1.6%；到2002年，进一步扩大到2.03倍和2.57倍，比1990年又扩大了23.8%和33.9%。 2005年城镇居民人均可支配收入和农村居民人均纯收入之比达到3.2:1。2003年和2004年这一数字分别为3.23:1和3.209:1。解决地区之间和城乡之间的发展不平衡问题已被列为中国政府“十一五”（2006至2010年）发展规划中最为重要的内容，但缩小区域和城乡之间的发展差距需要经过长期的艰苦努力。
中国是一个农业大国，农村人口众多，农民收入还很低，农业发展的基础还很薄弱。随着粮价走低和农业生产资料价格上涨，粮食增产和农民增收难度加大，农民种粮积极性受到影响。耕地不断减少，农业综合生产能力不强，粮食安全存在隐患。农村发展的任务十分艰巨。中国的发展仍然面临着人口、资源、环境的巨大压力。
国民的平均教育水平、劳动力的素质和技能亟待提高。高投入、高消耗的粗放型增长方式尚未得到根本扭转，发展面临日益严峻的资源供给和生态环境容量的瓶颈制约。另外，国际石油和矿产资源价格上涨的长期趋势，对中国经济的发展也有着不容忽视的不利影响。中国政府将为此加大资源节约和环境保护的力度，建设资源节约型社会和环境友好型社会。
中国的宏观经济政策将继续面临考验，既要在投资过快增长时予以有效的遏制，防止出现通货膨胀，又要防止投资收缩导致的通货紧缩。还需要协调好货币政策、财政政策和贸易政策的关系，保持内需和外需的适当平衡，进一步增强国内需求对经济增长的拉动作用。
此外，中国目前的社会保障体系尚不健全，也制约了经济发展过程中劳动力资源的优化配置。
经济全球化加速发展的趋势是中国发展的客观国际环境。近年来，贸易保护主义时有抬头，一些国家针对中国产品采取不合理的贸易限制和贸易保护主义措施，对中国的发展构成了障碍。仅2005年，就有18个国家对中国采取了反倾销、特殊保障以及纺织品限制性措施等，涉及中国120亿美元的出口产品。
二、贸易政策的发展
对外开放是中国的基本国策。中国政府坚持互利共赢的对外开放战略，把既符合本国利益、又促进共同发展，作为处理与世界各国各地区经贸关系的基本原则。
支持和维护多边贸易体制
中国政府一贯支持加强以WTO为代表的多边贸易体制，主张维护和弘扬它所倡导的处理国际贸易关系的基本原则。尽管WTO在平衡反映世界各国和各地区的贸易利益上仍有不足，发展中成员的关注应该得到进一步的重视和体现，但是WTO所倡导的公平、开放和非歧视等原则有助于维护国际贸易秩序的稳定，增加国际贸易发展的可预见性，体现国际事务共同参与的多边主义精神。
中国改革开放和完善社会主义市场经济体制的目标，与建立在市场经济基础上的多边贸易体制的基本原则是一致的。中国需要一个更加公平、开放和富有活力的多边贸易体制，这是中国经济发展必要的和重要的外部条件。
切实履行加入WTO的承诺
加入WTO以来，中国政府遵守WTO规则，信守在加入时所作出的广泛承诺，对贸易体制和政策进行了全面的调整。
法制与透明度
中国政府在加入WTO前后，根据WTO规则和所作承诺，在集中清理的基础上，有计划地对与贸易有关的法律、行政法规、部门规章等进行了调整。从1999年底至2005年底，中国中央政府制定、修订、废止了2000余件法律、行政法规和部门规章。这些法律、法规和规章的内容涉及货物贸易、服务贸易、与贸易有关的知识产权保护以及透明度、贸易政策的统一实施等各个方面。通过法律、法规和规章的立、改、废工作，中国的贸易制度与WTO规则和中国所作承诺保持了一致，《WTO协定》和《中国加入WTO议定书》的各项原则、规则和要求在中国得到了全面、统一实施。
加入WTO以来，中国政府政策的透明度进一步得到大幅提高。新制定的《立法法》、《行政法规制定程序条例》等法律法规使立法公开进一步制度化、规范化，成为立法活动必须遵循的一项基本原则。这些法律法规都明确要求在立法过程中，要通过书面征求意见、召开研讨会、座谈会、听证会等多种形式和通过新闻媒体、国际互联网等多种途径，公开征求社会各方面意见，给予社会公众和各利益方充分发表评论的机会，并对法律、法规和规章的公布问题作了具体规定。2003年新制定的《行政许可法》，对政府行为的透明度提出了更加严格、具体的要求。
近几年来，中国中央政府进一步加大了在各级政府和政府部门推行政府信息公开的力度，完善了相关制度。为了从技术上推动政府信息公开，96%的中央政府部门和大多数的地方政府开通了官方网站。中国政府网站（www.gov.cn）也于2006年1月1日开通。目前，立法公开在中国已经成为普遍实践，政府信息公开也已在各级政府和政府部门全面推行。
中国政府还按照加入承诺，设立了中国政府世贸组织通报咨询局，提供有关中国贸易政策的信息，并根据WTO各个具体协定的要求，履行通报中国贸易政策和措施的义务。此外，公众还能够通过《中国对外经济贸易文告》获悉与贸易有关的法律、法规和规章。
货物贸易
中国的平均关税水平按照加入承诺，从加入时的15.3%降低到了2005年的9.9%。其中，工业品平均关税在加入时是14.8%，2005年降低到了9.0%。农产品平均关税从加入时的23.2%，降低到了2005年的15.3%。此外，截至2005年1月1日，中国已根据《信息技术协议》，取消了所有信息产品的关税。特别需要指出的是，中国关税的约束率达到了100%。实际关税和约束关税是一致的。
中国在加入议定书附件3中承诺取消的进口配额、进口许可证和特定招标等非关税措施，到2005年1月1日已经按所承诺的时间表全部取消。中国的关税配额管理体制按照加入承诺进一步完善。关税配额量按承诺逐年扩大。对植物油的关税配额管理已按承诺于2006年1月1日起取消。
根据2004年4月修订的《对外贸易法》，中国政府于2004年7月1日起，提前半年履行了放开外贸权的承诺，取消了实行了50年的外贸权审批制。2005年1月1日，中国政府取消了丝绸的国营贸易管理。指定经营也按照加入承诺如期取消。
服务贸易
中国在服务贸易领域的市场开放承诺通过具体服务部门的法律、法规和规章的修改和制定，一一得到了落实。外国服务提供者的市场准入水平大幅提高。在WTO分类的160多个服务贸易部门中，中国已经开放了100多个，占62.5%，接近发达成员水平。
以银行服务为例，截至2005年底，共有21个国家和地区的72家银行在中国设立了254家营业性机构；40个国家和地区的177家银行在中国设立了240家代表处。外资银行在中国的资产绝对额从1994年底的118.4亿美元增长到2005年底的876.57亿美元，11年增长了7.4倍。
在保险服务领域，到2005年年底，中国保险市场上共有保险公司82家，其中外资保险公司40家。外资保险公司的保费收入在中国的增长速度，是中资保险公司增速的29倍。2005年前10个月，外资产险公司保费收入同比增长27.8%；外资寿险公司保费收入同比增长356.1%。
在分销领域，2005年底，中国政府取消了对外商投资商业企业的数量、地域和股权比例限制，全面开放市场。1992年以来，中国已累计批准设立外商投资商业企业1341家，开设店铺5657个；而2005年一年新设的外资商业企业数量就超过了1992年至2004年批准设立的外商投资商业企业的总和。外商投资大型连锁超市在中国的市场份额不断扩大，2005年已超过四分之一，少数城市达到50%以上。
此外，在电信、会计、教育等所有其他服务部门，中国政府也严格履行了加入承诺，提供了广阔的市场准入机会。
知识产权
中国政府高度重视知识产权保护工作。在加入WTO前后，中国政府对与知识产权保护相关的几乎所有法律法规和司法解释都进行了修改，使其与WTO《与贸易有关的知识产权协定》以及其他保护知识产权的国际规则相一致。
与此同时，中国政府把打击侵犯知识产权的执法行动作为知识产权保护工作的重点。近几年来，各级专利管理部门已经加强有关这方面的法律的执行力度，尤其是针对涉及到与人民生命健康密切相关的食品和药品的专利侵权行为开展了专项执法行动。各级专利管理部门致力于查处涉及到核心技术和引起广泛关注的专利侵权行为。2005年一共查处了4767起案件。
各级工商行政管理机关充分利用了其在商标法律执行方面的优势即完整的网络，简单的程序和高效率。各级机关尽职尽责，以注册商标的专有使用权保护为工作重点，查处了大量的商标侵权和假冒伪劣商品案件。2005年全国共开展了7次集中专项行动，查处了49412起侵犯商标权的案件。在这些案件中，商标侵权案件和假冒伪劣商品案件共39107起，涉外案件共6607起。
国家各级版权管理部门加强了版权法的执法力度，并且不断加强和其他部门如公安、工商行政、海关、新闻出版和文化等部门的合作。在打击版权侵权行为的过程中，逐渐形成一个协调各部门的执法机制。各部门采取了一系列行动打击盗版光碟、教材、参考书、软件，非法复制、销售录音录像制品，销售走私录音录像制品和网络侵权行为，2005年共查处了8060起案件。
目前，海关已经建立了一整套与知识产权法相关的执行措施，已经建立起知识产权保护的中央备案体系。只要知识产权所有者已经在海关总署对他们的知识产权进行了备案，海关就有权利扣留侵犯已备案知识产权的进口和出口货物。法律执行机关已经建立并且得到完善。除了扣留被怀疑侵犯知识产权的进出口货物，海关也可以在职权范围内查处侵权货物的非法进口和出口。2005年共查处了1208起案件。此外，中国海关已经与欧盟成员国、美国等国家共同签署了关于行政法律执行的多边协助协议。
中国公安机关已经采取了一系列措施打击各种知识产权侵权行为，高度重视在打击知识产权侵权行为方面的国际执法合作，并且已经和其他成员的执法组织展开合作。2005年12月，公安机关开展了“山鹰”行动，共查处了3534起支持产权侵权案件，其中3149起案件已经结案，与2004年相比，分别增长了198.5%和213.6%。
代理机构积极发挥他们在知识产权刑事案件中的拘留调查和起诉的职能，此外他们还依据法律对相关的刑事诉讼案件进行法律监督，掌握了大量涉嫌侵犯知识产权的案件。2005年，已经接受4143起刑事案件的拘留申请（增长了15.86%）并对由公安机关移交的4645（增长了24.63%）起案件提起诉讼。
中国各级人民法院在坚持公正和效率的原则下，不断推进与知识产权相关的民事和刑事审判工作。最高人民法院已经依据法律公布了一系列相关的司法解释并且改进了一系列重要的与知识产权相关的法律适用原则。2005年，共受理3567起侵犯知识产权的刑事案件（增长了27.9%），13424起民事案件（增长了44.1%）。
通过日常监管与专项治理相结合，在行政和司法两个方面大大加强了知识产权保护的执行力度。2004年，中国还成立了以国务院副总理为组长的国家保护知识产权工作组，负责统筹协调全国知识产权保护工作。2004年9月到2005年底，中国政府还在全国范围内组织开展了保护知识产权的专项行动。
中国政府还高度重视知识产权保护的宣传普及工作，提高全社会的知识产权保护意识。从2004年开始，中国政府将每年的4月20日至26日确定为"保护知识产权宣传周"，在全社会开展知识产权保护宣传教育活动，营造尊重劳动、尊重知识、尊重人才、尊重创造的良好社会氛围，提高广大公众的知识产权意识。
中国政府在保护知识产权，尤其是在知识产权法律体系建设和提高全社会保护意识方面，取得了巨大的成就。同时，中国政府也意识到，和其他国家一样，保护知识产权受到经济发展水平和其他客观条件的制约，中国的知识产权保护不可能一夜之间达到完美的水平。中国政府将做出长期艰苦的努力。
积极参与“多哈回合”谈判
多哈回合谈判关系到国际贸易发展的前景，关系到世界经济能否实现平衡有序发展，也关系到世界各国人民的切身利益。多哈谈判早日取得平衡的结果，有助于维护多边贸易体制，进一步推动世界贸易自由化进程，总体上符合包括中国在内的所有WTO成员的利益。中国迄今为止已经在谈判中提出了30多份提案和立场文件，为推动谈判取得进展，促进成员间的相互沟通，减少分歧，发挥了积极和建设性的作用。
中国政府认为，多哈回合谈判是发展回合，应该切实保证发展中成员能够从谈判结果中获益。各个具体议题的谈判，都应当充分考虑发展中成员的发展水平和承受能力，通过特殊和差别待遇，使他们能够实施符合本国国情的发展战略。中国支持香港会议在最不发达成员免关税、免配额和棉花问题上取得的成果。
在农业议题上，中国政府认为发达成员和发展中成员所面临的压力有着本质的不同。作为一个有着7.4亿农业人口的发展中大国，中国的农产品关税很低，并且已经取消了出口补贴，仅维持非常有限的微量国内支持。中国支持取消发达成员的各种形式的出口补贴，大幅度削减发达成员扭曲贸易的国内支持，大幅度削减高关税和减少关税升级。同时，发展中成员关心的特殊产品和特殊保障机制问题应当得到有效解决。
关于非农产品市场准入，中国政府支持香港会议达成的多系数瑞士公式的共识，认为瑞士公式有利于削减高关税；同时，发展中成员与发达成员采取的系数之间必须有足够的差距，以反映发展中成员和发达成员各自的经济发展水平和关税结构的不同。
关于服务贸易，中国希望谈判能体现发展中成员的出口利益，增强其参与世界服务贸易的能力。
规则谈判应当有助于澄清和改进WTO的相关规则，促进贸易便利化，减少贸易救济措施的滥用，尤其是发达成员针对发展中成员的反倾销措施。
在新一轮谈判中，中国等WTO新成员的具体关注应当得到理解和尊重。新成员加入后的过渡期普遍尚未完全结束，市场开放的压力还未充分消化，在实施加入WTO时承诺的广泛义务过程中，不少产业面临巨大的调整压力。因此，新成员的特殊关注，应当根据“多哈宣言”、2004年的“七月框架”和“香港宣言”的有关规定，得到有效的解决。
多边贸易体制正处于一个关键的时刻。尽管面临艰巨的谈判任务，中国政府期待与各方在2006年继续加紧工作，取得更多的进展。
稳步推进区域贸易自由化进程
加强区域经济贸易合作是当前世界经济贸易发展的客观趋势，是世界各国和各地区顺应经济全球化的必然选择。区域贸易自由化有助于减少区域内的贸易和投资壁垒，可以成为多边贸易体制的有益补充，推动世界范围的贸易自由化和投资便利化进程。
同时，实现区域贸易自由化不应以牺牲多边贸易体制为代价。参加区域贸易自由化的WTO成员有义务在追求各自的区域贸易自由化政策目标和维护多边贸易体制所主导的国际贸易基本秩序之间寻求平衡。
中国政府本着上述基本原则稳步推进自由贸易区建设的进程，目前达成协议或正在商谈的自由贸易区有9个，共涉及27个国家和地区。2005年，中国与这些国家和地区的双边贸易额约3445亿美元，占中国当年对外贸易总额的1/4左右。
2002年11月签署的《中国—东盟全面经济合作框架协议》，标志着中国—东盟自贸区开始启动。这是中国参加的第一个自贸区。2004年11月，中国与东盟谈判达成了《中国—东盟全面经济合作框架协议货物贸易协议》。根据该协议，2005年7月20日起，中国与东盟开始全面实施关税减让。目前，服务贸易和投资谈判正在加紧进行。
中国内地与香港和澳门特别行政区分别于2003年6月和10月签署了《关于建立更紧密经贸关系的安排》（简称CEPA），并于2004年1月1日起全面正式实施。此后，内地与港澳又于2004年和2005年两次签署了补充协议，进一步扩充了CEPA的内容。CEPA及其补充协议的实施，进一步促进中国内地与港澳经济的融合。
中国和智利两国政府于2005年11月18日签署了《自由贸易协定》。这是中国与拉美国家的第一个自由贸易协定。两国将在2006年下半年全面启动货物贸易的关税减让进程。
2005年4月，中国与巴基斯坦政府宣布启动中巴自贸区的谈判，并签署了《中巴自贸协定早期收获协议》，该协议已于2006年1月1日起实施。
中国还正在与海湾合作委员会、新西兰以及澳大利亚等进行自由贸易区谈判。
妥善处理贸易纠纷
随着全球贸易规模的不断扩大，贸易伙伴之间出现纠纷是正常的。中国一贯主张按照WTO的宗旨和原则，通过平等的对话和协商，互谅互让，妥善地处理贸易纠纷。
中国是国际贸易大家庭中负责任的一员。中国在制定和实施国内经济贸易政策时，重视统筹考虑国际因素和对外部世界的影响。从亚洲金融危机时坚持人民币币值的稳定，到最近人民币汇率机制的改革，从纺织品出口方面采取的克制态度，到加大保护知识产权力度的努力，都体现了中国政府的这一一贯态度。
中国政府重视在经济贸易领域开展与世界各国和各地区的双边沟通和交流。中国与世界 146个国家和地区建立了经济贸易混合（联合）委员会的机制，定期磋商，全面探讨双边经贸关系的发展情况，化解矛盾，解决问题，促进了经济贸易关系协调、健康的发展。
中国实行开放的贸易政策，不追求贸易顺差，希望进出口能够大体平衡。世界各国和各地区在经济和贸易上具有互补性，这种互补性不应受到诸如过分的、苛刻的技术出口限制等政策的干扰。
目前，在所有WTO成员中，中国遭受的反倾销措施最多，据WTO统计，从1995年到2005年上半年，全球反倾销措施共2743件，其中针对中国商品的就有434件，约占16%。中国的企业和出口商对国外层出不穷的技术壁垒措施及其对贸易的不利影响深感忧虑。针对中国的纺织品贸易所采取的限制性措施使中国企业的利益受到了严重的损害。
中国政府认为，只针对个别成员的歧视性贸易措施从根本上违背了多边贸易体制所倡导的自由贸易精神和非歧视的原则，滥用这些措施只会减损人们对多边贸易体制的信心，不利于多边贸易体制的健康发展。
促进与发展中成员的经济合作
中国与发展中国家的经济有很强的互补性，合作潜力巨大。因此中国政府对推动南南合作高度重视。
中国目前已经向30多个最不发达国家提供了优惠关税待遇。中国国家主席胡锦涛2005年9月在联合国成立60周年首脑会议发展筹资高级别会议上宣布，将进一步向最不发达国家开放市场，对已同中国建交的39个最不发达国家的多数对华出口商品给予零关税待遇。
在投资方面，中国现在正在实施“走出去”战略，鼓励企业以广大发展中国家为重点目的地，进行对外投资，到境外开展经济和贸易合作。“走出去”战略推动了中国与发展中国家的经济合作和贸易往来，也有利于东道国创造就业、增加税收，实现经济发展。
中国还根据自己的能力，尽可能地向其他发展中国家提供发展援助。截至目前，中国共向110多个国家和区域组织提供了2000多个援助项目，减免了44个发展中国家总计198笔价值约166亿元人民币的对华债务。胡锦涛主席在2005年9月还宣布，中国将进一步扩大对重债穷国和最不发达国家的援助规模，并通过双边渠道，在今后两年内免除或以其他处理方式消除所有同中国有外交关系的重债穷国2004年底前对华到期未还的全部无息和低息政府贷款；在今后三年内向发展中国家提供100亿美元优惠贷款及优惠出口买方信贷，增加对发展中国家特别是非洲国家的医疗援助，并为发展中国家培训培养3万名各类人才。
2006年1月12日，中国政府发布了《中国对非洲政策文件》，提出了进一步加强中非友好合作的发展方向和重点领域。在经济领域，《文件》在贸易、投资、金融、农业、基础设施、资源合作、旅游合作、减免债务、经济援助和多边合作等10个领域表明了中国的合作意向。
三、展望未来
建设和谐社会与和谐世界
中国在本世纪头二十年的发展目标，是要全面建设一个惠及十几亿人口的更高水平的小康社会，使经济更加发展、民主更加健全、科教更加进步、文化更加繁荣、社会更加和谐、人民生活更加殷实。
为实现这个目标，中国政府坚持以科学发展观统领经济社会发展全局，把经济社会发展切实转入全面协调可持续发展的轨道。根据“十一五”规划，今后五年国内生产总值年均将增长7.5%。重点工作是，继续保持经济平稳较快发展，避免大起大落；高度重视“农业、农村、农民”问题，扎实推进社会主义新农村建设，努力解决城乡二元经济结构问题。
中国需要增强农业的整体实力，加快农业结构调整，加强农村基础建设和提高农民的收入。中国将致力于实施一些重点项目包括建立粮食、棉花和食用油的大型生产基地，实现高质量的粮食品种生产的工业化，建造水资源保护设施和安饮用水供应装置，兴建公路和沼气生产设备并发展农村地区的教育、文化和医疗。中国已经全面展开农村改革，并已基本完成城镇政府机构、农村义务教育，城镇财政管理方面的改革。中国需要创造一个具备良好的基础教育背景并能同时了解农业技术和商业化操作的新型农民。
在未来的两年里，中国政府将彻底取消所有接受义务教育的农村学生的学费和杂费。农村义务教育的经费将纳入中央和当地政府的财政预算。中国将完善农村信用合作体系建设，进行中国农业银行和中国农业发展银行的改革并加快农村的银行和金融改革的进程以改善当地的银行体系和金融服务。中国将继续坚持扩大就业的政策并尽一切可能为进城务工的农村劳动力创造更多的工作机会。
中国将启动适合进城务工农民的社会保障措施。中国将完善为农村孤寡老人和弱势群体提供吃穿住行、医疗和丧葬费用的体系，完善为极端贫困的家庭提供补助的体系和通过增加财政支持为灾害受难者提供援助的体系，并且适当提高援助水平。地方政府在条件允许的情况下应努力为农村居民建立生活补助体系。中国将启动建立和发展农村医疗服务的计划，以完善覆盖县、镇和村三级的医疗体系和网络。中国将加快建立一个新型的农村医疗合作体系。到2008年，所有的农村地区将基本建成这一新的体系和农村医疗援助体系。
为了促进国内消费，商务部于2005年2月启动了“覆盖万村千乡的市场发展计划”。该计划旨在在农村逐步普及连锁商店，在三年内在全国50%的农村和70%城镇设立标准的农家店，在农村设立现代化的销售网络使城市的商店发挥重要的领航作用，城镇的商店发挥主要作用，农村的商店发挥基础作用。1150家零售和批发企业已经开始在全国777个城市启动这个计划。今年年内已经新建了和改建了71000家标准的农家店。
走新型工业化道路，推进形成优化开发、重点开发、限制开发和禁止开发四类主体功能区，促进区域协调发展；落实节约资源和保护环境基本国策，建设资源节约型、环境友好型社会，促进经济发展与人口、资源、环境相协调；努力提高科学技术创新能力和劳动力素质，建设创新型国家和人力资本强国。
中国政府将坚持互利共赢的开放战略，认为世界各国应该协力构建各种文明兼容并蓄的和谐世界。各国应该通过推动建立和健全开放、公平、非歧视的多边贸易体制和更加完善的国际金融体制，为世界经济增长营造健康有序的贸易环境和稳定高效的金融环境；应该通过加强全球能源对话和合作，共同维护能源安全和能源市场稳定；应该共同推动经济全球化向均衡、普惠、共赢的方向发展，发达国家尤其应该承担更多责任，进一步对发展中国家特别是重债穷国和最不发达国家开放市场，转让技术，增加援助，减免债务。
深化改革和提高开放水平
中国经济和社会发展取得的所有成就，都是与中国始终推进改革和对外开放分不开的。在未来的发展进程中，中国政府将继续坚持改革开放的道路，完善市场经济体制，提高对外开放的水平。
中国政府将加快行政管理体制改革，加强政府社会管理和公共服务职能；加快国有企业的股份制改造，推动股份制成为公有制的主要实现形式，大力发展非公有制经济；推进财政税收体制改革，加快公共财政体系建设，实现增值税由生产型向消费型的转变，统一各类企业的税收制度；加快金融体制改革，完成国有金融企业的股份制改造，稳步发展多种所有制的中小金融企业；推动全国范围统一开放市场的进一步发展，继续发展土地、技术和劳动力市场，进一步发挥市场在资源配置中的基础作用，加快建设社会信用体系。
中国政府将统筹国内发展和对外开放，促进经济在扩大开放的条件下实现又快又好发展。中国政府将继续积极发展对外贸易，努力实现进出口的平衡，推动优化进出口商品结构；将继续积极有效利用外资，加强对外资的产业和区域投向引导，提高利用外资的质量；将按照“互利共赢、优势互补”的原则，进一步推动中国企业“走出去”到境外投资和开展经营，推动它们熟悉国际经济贸易和投资环境，按照国际通行的规则办事。中国政府还将继续在多边、区域和双边领域促进全球贸易和投资的自由化进程，努力维护稳定的国际贸易环境，与所有贸易伙伴一起努力实现互利共赢。
WTO Trade Policy Review
People’s Republic of China
April 2006
Policy Statement of the Government of the People’s Republic of China
Table of Contents
I. Macroeconomic Environment
Robust Growth and Enormous Opportunities
The Ever Deepening Reform and Opening up
The Supportive Macroeconomic Policy
Difficulties and Challenges Confronting Development
II. Trade Policy Development
Support and Defend the Multilateral Trading System
Faithfully Implement the WTO Accession Commitments
Active Participation in the “Doha Round” Negotiations
Regional Trade Liberalisation
Proper Handling of Trade Disputes
Promote Economic Cooperation with Developing Members
III. Outlook
Build a Harmonious Society and a Harmonious World
Deepen Reform and Raise Further the Level of Opening
Policy Statement of the Government of the People’s Republic of China
I. Macroeconomic Environment
Robust Growth and Enormous Opportunities
Since WTO Accession in 2001, the Chinese Government has constantly persisted in the reform and opening-up policy adopted in 1979. As a result, the systemic environment for China’s economic performance has substantially improved along with the deepening of reform. At the same time the adoption of prudent and effective macroeconomic policy enabled China to maintain the momentum of stable and robust economic growth over the past four years.
According the latest statistics, China’s gross domestic products (GDP) rose from 10,965.5 billion Yuan (US$ 1,324.8 billion) in 2001 to 18,232.1 billion Yuan (US$ 2,225.7 billion) in 2005, scoring an annual average growth rate of 9.5% for five consecutive years. The per capita GDP during this period has surpassed US$ 1,000 to reach US$ 1,702 in 2005 converted at current annual average exchange rate.
There have been rapid expansion of import and export trade and inflow of foreign direct investment. Total value of import and export rose from US$ 509.6 billion in 2001 to US$ 1,422.1 billion in 2005. For the period from 2001 to 2005, average annual actual inflow of FDI was some US$ 55 billion.
By the end of 2005, China has all together approved the establishment of 552,942 foreign invested enterprises, with a total contractual value of USD 1,285,673 million, of which USD 622,426 million was actually utilized. The utilization of foreign investment is a significant component of China’s cardinal state policy of opening up. Since China’s adoption of the reform and opening up policy, through absorption of FDI, China has sped up the establishment and improvement of the socialist market economy system, pushed forward the development of an open economy, introduced a large amount of foreign capital and advanced and applicable technological and managerial experience, educated a large group of technological and managerial personnel, raised the level of domestic technological innovation, brought along the optimization and upgrading of domestic industrial structure, created many job opportunities, increased the financial revenue of the state and improved china’s overall international competitive edge.
The rapid growth of the Chinese economy laid a solid foundation for alleviating poverty and raising the living standard of the people. The annual per capita disposable income of urban residents reached 10,493 RMB Yuan in 2005, registering a 58.3% growth from that in 2000 in real terms with an annual increase rate of 9.6%. The annual per capita disposable income of rural residents in 2005 was 3,255 RMB Yuan, increased by 29.2% in real terms from 2000 with an annual growth rate of 5.3%.
The growth also provides the rest of the world with a large and expanding market. It brings enormous investment opportunities for investors and high quality consumer goods at attractive price for consumers. It is a powerful stimulating force spurring world economic growth. From 2001 to 2005, China imported goods of a cumulative value of US$ 2,172.8 billion, and the transfer of profit out of China by foreign invested enterprises totalled US$ 57.94 billions. Over the past few years, China has always been a net importer of commercial services with great attraction to foreign services providers. According to WTO statistics, China’s total import of commercial services in 2004 was US$ 71.6 billion with a deficit of US$ 9.6 billion. World Bank statistical data shows that from 2000 to 2004 Chinese economic growth contributed on average 13% of world economic growth.
The Ever Deepening Reform and Opening up
Reform and opening up is China’s established national policy. The market-oriented reform started in 1979 brought about dramatic changes in China’s economic system. In October 1992, China officially set the objective of establishing a socialist market economy system. Subsequently an overall economic system reform was unfolded and major breakthrough was made in the fiscal, taxation, financial, investment, foreign exchange, foreign trade and pricing system, which laid a solid foundation for a socialist market economy system. Up to 2000, a socialist market economy system had already taken shape and China entered a new stage of improving the system.
For the four years following the WTO accession, the acceleration of economic structural reform remained the central issue on the work agenda of the Chinese Government. The most important measures of reform adopted by the Chinese Government during this period include the following:
In respect of the non-public sector development, the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China as amended in March 1999 and March 2004 provides in Article 11 that the non-public sectors of the economy such as the individual and private sectors of the economy, operating within the limits prescribed by law, constitute an important component of the socialist market economy; the state protects the lawful rights and interests of the non-public sectors of the economy such as the individual and private sectors. In February 2005, the State Council issued Opinions on encouraging, supporting and guiding the development of the non-public sectors of the economy such as the individual and private sectors. It states explicitly that all market access barriers affecting non-public sectors should be removed; non-public sectors are encouraged to participate in the reorganisation, restructuring and transformation of state-owned enterprises through merger and acquisition, share holding and controlling; their status as full market players should be consolidated and they should be entitled to fully equal treatment.
In China today, the non-public sector consists of foreign invested enterprises, self-employed individual industrial and commercial households and private enterprises. As of 2004, there were approximately 280,000 registered foreign invested enterprises. By end of September 2005, there were 24,662,000 registered self-employed individual and household business, and 4,191,000 private enterprises. From 1992 to 2004, the number of private enterprises each year increased on average by 31.9%. They have become the largest enterprises group both in number and in proportion.
In respect of administration of state-owned assets and the reform of state-owned enterprises, the state-owned assets supervision and administration bodies were established in 2003 to assume the function of state asset investors. State-owned enterprises in a state of default without hope to regain profitability are required to declare bankruptcy and go out of business. Others are accelerating the process of corporate transformation with investors being diversified. Joint stock system is propelled to be the main vehicle of public ownership. At the meantime, corporate governance structure of the enterprises has been further improved to strengthen the governance.
During the past four years, the number of state-owned enterprises substantially declined. There were 174,000 state-owned enterprises throughout China in 2001 and the number dropped by 26% to 138,000 in 2004. Half of the 2,903 large state-owned enterprises which account for 66.9% of the total net assets of all state-owned enterprises (including majority state holding enterprises) were transformed into corporations with multiple share holders. 80% of small and medium state-owned enterprises nation-wide were restructured and had their ownership diversified.
In respect of fiscal and taxation system, an experiment was launched in North East China in 2004 to transform the value added tax from a production based to a consumption based system. In order to support the reform of the financial system, business tax rate for financial and insurance business was reduced by one percentage point each year from 2001 to 2003. A major reform took place in the budget management system introducing departmental budget, centralized treasury collection and payment and government procurement with a view to enhancing the efficiency in the utilisation of financial resources. The reform on appropriate sharing of income tax revenues by central and local governments was implemented in 2002. Fiscal transfer payment structure was optimized. Support to underdeveloped regions increased. Reform of the fiscal management system below the level of provincial governments was also advanced. Interregional development became more balanced and basic public services more equalized.
In respect of financial system, the monetary policy function and banking regulatory function were separated. The establishment in 2003 of the China Banking Regulatory Commission strengthened the unified regulation and supervision of banks, financial asset management companies, trust and investment companies and other non-bank depository financial institutions. A financial regulatory system consisting of four institutions namely the People’s Bank of China (the Central Bank), China Banking Regulatory Commission, China Securities Regulatory Commission and China Insurance Regulatory Commission was established, each with separate responsibility working in close cooperation.
The joint stock reform of the state-owned commercial banks was put on track and initial success has been made. Bank of China and China Construction Bank basically completed the joint stock transformation and the latter has gone public in Hong Kong. Financial restructuring of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was implemented and the bank has been transformed into a joint stock limited company. The reform aims to establishing a modern financial enterprise system, improving corporate governance structure, transforming operation mechanism, achieving sustainable development and enhancing the international competitiveness of the state-owned commercial banks.
The reform of RMB exchange rate regime was implemented on 21 July 2005, putting in place a managed floating exchange rate regime based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies. In deciding on modality, contents and timing of the exchange rate regime reform, the Chinese Government took full account of the impact on macro economy and financial stability, economic growth and employment as well as the impact on our neighbouring countries and regions, the world economy and finance. Since the operation of the new exchange rate regime, RMB exchange rate has attained greater flexibility and has remained basically stable at an adaptive and equilibrium level.
The long term objective of the reform of China’s foreign exchange management system is full convertibility of RMB under both the current and the capital account. The RMB became convertible under the current account in 1996. China has been steadily advancing capital account convertibility. The RMB convertibility under the capital account has been increasing gradually. The Chinese Government will steadily push forward market-based interest rate reform, improve the managed floating exchange rate regime, endeavour to gradually achieve capital account convertibility and preserve financial stability and security.
The agricultural tax system has undergone fundamental reform. Up to the end of 2005, 28 out of the 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have abolished agriculture tax. On 29 December 2005, the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People’s Congress adopted at its 19th session a decision to the effect that the Regulations on Agricultural Tax in force for 48 years would be abolished on 1 January 2006. As of 2006, the Agricultural Tax has been abolished throughout the country two years ahead of the original objective of a 5-year phase out.
In the reform of investment administration, the system of investment project approval by investment administration authorities in different levels of the Government according to investment scale has been changed. With exception of those on the published catalogue requiring verification procedures, all investment projects including foreign investment projects involving no government funds need only to file for record with the investment administration authorities. The procedure of required market access approval of foreign investment projects were also simplified with enhanced efficiency.
Since 1979, the opening up policy has been implemented progressively from the coastal area to the interior, from the east to the west. The establishment of special economic zones in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou and Xiamen in 1980 marked the launching of opening up. In the mid and late 1980s, the opening up gradually stretched beyond the special economic zones to the coastal areas, Hainan Province, and the Pudong area of Shanghai as well as the Changjiang River (the Yangtze River) Delta cities and a series of frontier and interior cities. With the launching of the Western Region Development Strategy in 2000, the opening up further expanded to the vast western regions.
China’s accession to the WTO in December 2001 marked a new era of China’s opening up. After WTO accession, the regional opening up approach was replaced by a nation-wide open policy; the coverage extended from the traditional trade in goods to trade in services; the level of market access further advanced, access conditions codified into laws and regulations with greater transparency and rule-based. The WTO fundamental principles such as MFN and national treatment as well as China’s WTO accession commitments have become the norms followed by China in the opening process.
Foreign direct investments have most obvious favourable impact on the development of the Chinese economy in the opening up process. In 2004, industrial added value by foreign invested enterprises accounted for 28% of national industrial added value. Their exports accounted for 57% of national total exports. Foreign invested enterprises employed 24 million people accounting for 10% of the non-rural work force.
With the implementation of the accession commitments, China’s foreign investment policy became more open and predictable. The Chinese Government will further improve foreign investment laws, regulations and policy measures to encourage and guide foreign investments in high technology, modern services and modern agriculture. The Chinese Government will continue its efforts to attract multinational enterprises to move the manufacturing process of high technology and high value-added products and their research and development to China. The Government will also promote cooperation between domestic and foreign enterprises on technology research and development, resource procurement and market development; attach more importance to environment protection, resources conservation and sustainable development, thus enhancing the quality and raise the level of foreign investment.
Supportive Macroeconomic Policy
The overall objective of the Chinese Government’s macroeconomic policy is to ensure stable and fast economic growth. From 2001 to 2004, the Chinese Government managed to maintain consistency and stability in its macroeconomic policy, persisted in the policy adopted in the wake of the 1998 Asian financial crisis aimed at expanding domestic demand and spurring economic growth, and continued to apply the proactive fiscal policy and sound monetary policy.
During the four years, the Chinese Government carried on the practice of issuing long-term Construction Treasury Bonds, which was introduced in the wake of the Asian financial crisis, and the scale of issuance each year amounted to 150 billion Yuan for 2001 and 2002. The Treasury Bonds targeted at the central and western regions development, the rural infrastructure, urban environmental facilities, education and sanitation and health infrastructures.
In the year 2001 to 2005, 350,000 kilometres of highway had been constructed in China, 24000 kilometres among which are freeways which exceeded the total length of all freeways built by the year 2000. There are 7063 kilometers of railway has been build and put into operation. The Qinghai-Tibet railway was also completely constructed. China launched a large scale of construction and renovation of the electricity networks of rural areas, increased the total areas of farmland which are irrigated in a water-saving way, speeded up the construction of the projects, such as medium and small water conservancy facilities, drinking water supplies for human and livestock, and highways in the rural areas, as well as to consolidate the dikes of major rivers and lakes.
China also launches a comprehensive administration on environmental protection in certain stressed areas, the protection of virgin forest and natural grassland resources, the pilot projects in returning hillside farmland to forests and grassland in the Central and Western Regions, water pollution control projects in the basins of the Huai River, Hai River, Liao River, Tai Lake, Chao Lake and Dian Lake, and projects on urban water supply, road, household refuse and sewage disposal.
Taking the establishment of national disease prevention and control system and a medical care mechanism for sanitary emergency as the priority, the Chinese government fastens the paces to establish a set of public health-care system. As a result, a number of disease prevention and control centre, emergency aid centre and medical institutions for contagious disease have been established on the provincial, municipal and county level. The Chinese government invests more funds in education infrastructure and gives more education subsidies to rural and western hinterland, thus much improving the teaching, experiment and school-life facilities of various schools and mid-schools of the area.
The proactive fiscal policy has effectively spurred investments by enterprises and by the society at large, stimulated effective demand, created employments, and therefore played an important role in maintaining the momentum of stable and robust economic growth. Under the combined cumulative impact of the proactive fiscal policy and sound monetary policy, the Chinese economy began in 2003 to enter a new cycle of upward trend.From the latter half of 2003, there were signals of overheat in certain sectors and regions including excess growth of capital investment, rising prices of raw materials and energy. The Chinese Government while continuing maintaining the stability and continuity of the macroeconomic policy, adopted a series of targeted macroeconomic measures including adjustment to optimize the fiscal expenditure structure, increasing input on support to agriculture, rural areas and farmers, and public services such as education, sciences and technology and public health. Adjustment measures were also targeted at rationalisation of fiscal investment particularly on the direction, scope and intensity of the long-term Construction Treasury Bonds. The measures also include raising the ratio of deposit reserves of commercial banks, expanding the floating range of loan interest rates by financial institutions, setting strict industrial standards to prevent projects of high energy consumption, high pollution and high emission. These measures have effectively arrested the trend of excess growth of capital investment and excess expansion of production capacity of some industries, facilitated the economic structural adjustment and stopped the partial overheat from evolving into a nation-wide problem.
In 2005 the Chinese Government modified its macroeconomic policy in light of the new situation of economic development. The expansionary proactive fiscal policy adopted in the wake of the 1998 Asian Financial Crisis began to return to a neutral and prudent fiscal policy. The scale of the long-term Construction Treasury Bonds was adjusted downward and the central government’s fiscal deficits moderately reduced to an appropriate level. The emphasis is to give a guiding signal that it is necessary to prevent the signs of possible inflation from looming larger, but also to avoid the re-emergence of deflation. Attention was paid to the adjustment of fiscal expenditure structure and the investment direction of the Treasury Bond projects, to strengthen the weak links in economic and social development, to expand consumption demand and to promote harmony in economic and social development. Measures will continue to optimize the taxation system, to support the institutional reform of income distribution, education, social security, public health and the financial system. Efforts will be made to increase revenues and economise expenditures, and enhance fiscal strength and expenditure efficiency.
China has implemented a sound monetary policy since 2002, and has flexibly adjusted the strength and stance of monetary policy in different stages of the economic cycle. More market-oriented measures including a mix of price-based and quantity-based monetary policy instruments have been used to achieve appropriate growth of money and credit. Attention was also given to the coordination of the monetary policy with other macroeconomic policies, and they in combination have been instrumental in maintaining the favourable momentum of high growth, low price of the national economy.
Against the background of persistently low Consumer Price Index (CPI) and weak domestic demand following the Asian financial crisis, the People’s Bank of China (the Central Bank) further reduced the RMB deposit and lending interest rates in 2002. This was the eighth rate cut since 1996. After 2003, the Chinese economy began to pick up with faster growth and increased dynamics, but at the same time there were also signs of partial overheating and build-up of inflationary pressure. The People’s Bank of China promptly adjusted the operation of monetary policy, raised required reserve ratio twice, increased benchmark rates for deposit and lending, and adopted differentiated structural credit policy to control overheated sectors such as the real estate sector. In view of considerable increase of RMB equivalent of foreign exchange holdings and base money in recent years, the People’s Bank of China continuously intensified open market operation to absorb the excess liquidity and to control the excess expansion of money and credits.
In 2005, the People’s Bank of China continued to implement a sound monetary policy, slightly lowered the interest rate of the excess reserve, liberalized inter-bank deposit rates, and strengthened the coordination between domestic and foreign currency interest rate policies. The People’s Bank of China also increased the intensity of open market operations and adjusted the liquidity in the banking system. The money market operated in a stable manner.
Difficulties and Challenges Confronting Development
China has made significant progress in its economic development over the past 20 years. As a developing country with a population of 1.3 billion, however, it still faces great challenges and arduous tasks in its development.
According to World Bank statistical data and its computing methodology, the aggregate volume of the Chinese economy in 2004 was equivalent to 16.6% of that of the United States. China’s per capita GDP was equivalent to 3.6% of the United States, 4% of Japan and only one fifth of the global average, and ranked 129th of the world.
By the end of 2005, there was still a population of 23.65 million in the rural areas of China living below the absolute poverty line of 683 RMB Yuan, and the low-income poor population living between the lines of 684 and 944 RMB Yuan was 40.67 million. In China nearly 200 million people are living below the standard of one dollar per day. Every year China has to find jobs for 24 million people in the urban area. More than 100 million of surplus rural work force needs to migrate for other jobs.
In economic and social development there is a widening east-west regional disparity, as well as rural-urban disparity. In 1980 the per capita GDP in the eastern region was 1.53 times and 1.89 times that of the central and western regions respectively. The gap rose to 1.64 and 1.92 respectively in 1990, increased by 7.2% and 1.6%, and in 2002 further widened to 2.03 and 2.57, increased further by 23.8% and 33.9% as compared to 1990. The ratio between per capita personal disposable income of urban citizens and per capita net income of rural citizens in 2005 was 3.2:1. In 2003 and 2004 the figure was 3.23:1 and 3.209:1 respectively. The issue of resolving regional and urban-rural disparity has been taken as the most important element of the Eleventh 5-year Development Programme (2006 to 2010), and requires long term hard work.
China is a large agricultural country with a large rural population. Income for the farmers is very low, and the basis for agricultural development is vulnerable and weak. There is downward pressure on grain prices and upward pressure on the prices of agricultural supplies, making it difficult for farmers to further increase grain production and their earnings, and discouraging them from growing grains. Moreover, the total area of useable farmland continues to decrease, and the overall agricultural production capacity is weak. This poses a threat to the nation's food security. The development of the rural area remains an arduous task for China. China is also under tremendous population, resource and environmental pressure in the course of its development.
There is an urgent need to raise the average education level of its citizens, and to enhance the quality and skill of the labour force. Currently the economic growth depends largely on method of high input and high consumption, and there has been no fundamental change in this crude and inefficient manner of growth, which is leading to the increasingly serious constraints of resource supply and eco-balance sustainability. Meanwhile, the long term trend of rising prices for oils and mineral resources in the international market has an adverse impact on China’s economic development that can not be overlooked. The Chinese Government will therefore intensify its efforts to save resources and protect the environment and build a resource-saving and environment-friendly society.
The acceleration of globalisation is an objective international environment for China’s development. In recent years, protectionist pressure builds up. Restrictive and protective measures of non-tariff barriers, standards, anti-dumping and safeguards taken by some countries and economies against Chinese products constitute an obstacle to China’s development. For 2005 alone, 18 countries took antidumping, special safeguard measures and textile restrictive measures affecting Chinese export of US$ 12 billion.
II. Trade Policy Development
Opening up is China’s long term basic national policy. The Chinese Government adheres to the “mutually beneficial win-for-all” opening strategy, and takes the pursuance of national interests and promotion of common development as the basic principles in handling economic and trade relations with all countries and economies.
Support and Defend the Multilateral Trading System
China has always been supporting the strengthening of the multilateral trading system represented by the WTO and advocate the preservation and dissemination of the WTO sponsored fundamental principles guiding international trading relations. Not withstanding WTO’s inadequacy in balancing the trading interests of different countries and different regions, its lack of attention to the interests of developing countries, the fair, open and non-discrimination principles sponsored by WTO are conducive to the stability of international trade orders and the predictability of international trade development. It embodies the spirit of multilateralism in favour of joint participation in international affairs.
China’s objective in building a socialist market economy system and its fundamental policies of reform and opening-up match with the basic principles of the multilateral trading system based on market economy. China needs a fair, more open and dynamic multilateral trading system. This is an imperative external condition for China’s economic development.
Faithfully Implement the WTO Accession Commitments
Ever since WTO accession China has abided by WTO rules, lived up to the extensive commitments made in the accession and made comprehensive adjustment of its trade regime and trade policy.
Rule of Law and Transparency
Before and after the accession, China systematically overhauled existing laws, administrative regulations and department rules to comply with WTO rules and accession commitments. From the end of 1999 to end of 2005, the Central Government adopted, revised or abolished more than 2,000 pieces of laws, administrative regulations and department rules. They cover trade in goods, trade in services, trade-related intellectual property rights protection, transparency and uniform application of trade measures. The adoption, revision and abolishment of laws, administrative regulations and department rules in this overhaul ensure the consistency of China’s trade regime with the WTO rules and the accession commitments. All the principles, rules and requirements embodied in the WTO Agreement and the Protocol on the Accession of the People’s Republic of China are implemented in a comprehensive and effective manner.
Since its WTO accession, China has significantly enhanced government transparency. The new Legislation Law and Regulations on Procedures for the Formulation of Administrative Regulations etc. institutionalized legislation transparency and establish it as a basic principle to be observed in China’s legislation formulation process. The laws and regulations specifically require that in the formulation of legislation, public opinions must be sought and the general public and stakeholders must be given full opportunities to comment in the forms of forums, seminars, public hearings and written communications or through INTERNET and news media. There are also specific provisions on procedures concerning publishing of legislation. The new Administrative Permission Law adopted in 2003 set more strict and explicit transparency requirement concerning Government behaviour. The Central Government has also in recent years intensified the efforts to promote publicity of the administrative information in governments at all levels. To provide technology guarantee for this end, 96% of Central Government institutions and most of the local governments have launched their respective official websites. The Central Government website www.gov.cn went online on 1 January 2006. Legislation transparency is now a general practice in China. Administrative information publication is also implemented throughout the governments at all levels.
The Chinese Government has also established China WTO Notification and Enquiry Centre in the Ministry of Commerce in accordance with the accession commitments to provide information concerning China’s trade policy, and to fulfil the obligation of notification of China’s trade policies and measures as specifically required by the WTO Agreement. The general public has free access to information concerning trade-related laws, regulation and rules through China Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Gazette, which is also available at the website of the Ministry of Commerce (www.mofcom.gov.cn).
Trade in Goods
In accordance with the WTO accession commitments, the average tariff level has been slashed from 15.3% at the time of accession to 9.9% in 2005. The average tariff rate of 14.8% for industrial goods prior to WTO accession was reduced to 9.0% in 2005. The average rate of 23.2% at the time of accession for agricultural products was reduced to 15.3% in 2005. Up to 1 January 2005, China had, in accordance with the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), eliminated tariffs for all ITA products. It should be particularly pointed out that 100% of China’s tariffs are bound. Applied rates and bound rates are exactly the same.
With regard to the commitments under Annex 3 to the Protocol of Accession concerning the elimination of non-tariff measures including import quota, import license and import tendering, all these measures had been eliminated on schedule by 1 January 2005. The administration of the tariff rate quota system has been further improved and quota level gradually increased in line with the commitments made. Tariff rate quota administration for vegetable oils was abolished on 1 January 2006, as committed.
In line with the Foreign Trade Law as amended in April 2004, the Chinese Government implemented the commitment on liberalisation of trading right on 1 July 2004, six months ahead of schedule. On 1 January 2005, state trading for silk was abolished. Designate trading was also eliminated on schedule.
Trade in Services
All the market access commitments in the field of trade in services have been implemented through the revision and adoption of sector-specific laws, administrative regulations and department rules. The level of market access for foreign services suppliers has been significantly increased. Of the 160 services sectors and sub-sectors under the WTO classification, China has opened more than 100, accounting for 62.5%, close to the level of commitments made by developed Members.
Take banking services for example, up to end of 2005, 72 foreign banks from 21 countries and regions have established 254 operational institutions in China, and 177 foreign banks from 40 countries and regions have established 240 representative offices. Total assets of foreign banks increased from US$ 11.84 billion by end of 1994 to US$ 87.657 billion by the end of 2005, representing a 7.4-fold increase within 11 years.
In insurance services, there were 82 insurance companies in China by the end of 2005, 40 of them are foreign invested insurance companies. The premium revenues of foreign invested insurance companies have experienced a rapid expansion, 29 times faster than domestic insurance companies. For the first ten months of 2005, premium revenues of foreign property insurance companies increased by 27.8% over the correspondent period of the previous year while that of foreign life insurance companies increased by 356.1%.
In distribution services, the Chinese government has implemented a market opening for foreign invested enterprises by eliminating the restrictions on the number of business units, geographical location and the foreign ownership. Since 1992, China has cumulatively approved 1,341 foreign invested distribution enterprises, which have opened a total number of 5,657 retail shops. In 2005 alone, newly established foreign invested distribution enterprises outnumber the total approvals from 1992 to 2004. Market share of large foreign invested supermarket chains in the Chinese market continued to expand. By 2005, they have accounted for more than a quarter, even over 50% in a few cities.
China has also faithfully implemented the commitments in telecom services, accounting services, education services and others, thus having offered enormous market access opportunities.
Intellectual Property Rights
The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs). Before and after its WTO accession, China took actions to amend almost all IPR-related laws, regulations and judicial interpretations to ensure consistency with the WTO Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and other international rules on protection of intellectual property rights.
In the meantime, the Chinese Government set as its priority work to strengthen enforcement of laws to combat IPR infringements. In recent years, patent administration departments at all levels have strengthened administrative enforcement of the law in this respect. In particular, they have launched special enforcement actions on infringements of patent rights of food and medicines, which are closely connected with people’s health and lives. Great efforts have also been paid to investigate and deal with cases that infringe upon the patent rights of key technologies and cases that had widespread repercussions. 4,767 cases in total have been investigated and dealt with in 2005.
Administrative organs of industry and commerce at all levels across China have fully exploited their advantages in trademark administrative law enforcement –complete networks, simple procedures and high efficiency. Focusing on the protection of the right to exclusive use of registered trademarks, and dutifully carrying out their responsibilities, they have investigated and dealt with a large number of trademark infringement and counterfeiting cases. 7 concentrated special actions have been launched with 49,412 trademark violation cases being investigated and tacked with across the country through the year of 2005. Among all the cases, 39,107 are trademark infringement and counterfeit cases and 6,607 are foreigner-related cases.
China’s copyright administrative management departments at all levels have strengthened their administrative enforcement of the copyright law. They have increased cooperation with other government departments, such as the departments of public security, industry and commerce, the Customs, press and publications and cultural departments. As a result, a mechanism of law enforcement whereby different departments are coordinated in combating copyright infringement and piracy has gradually taken shape. They have launched a series of campaigns to crack down pirated discs, textbooks, reference books, software, illegal duplication and selling of audio-video products, selling of smuggled audio-video products and internet infringement practices. A total of 8,060 cases have been investigated and dealt with in 2005.
At present, the Customs has established a complete system of IPR-related laws enforcement measures. It has established a central filing system for IPR Customs protection. As long as the IPR proprietors have filed their IPR with the General Administration of Customs, the port Customs have the power to detain imported and exported goods that infringe on the filed IPR. Law enforcement organization have also been founded and improved. Besides detaining import or export goods suspected of IPR infringement, the Customs can also investigate and deal with illegal import and export of right-infringing goods within the scope of its power and duty. In 2005, 1,208 cases have been dealt with. In addition, the Chinese Customs have signed agreements of mutual assistance in administrative law enforcement with the Customs of the European Union member countries, the United States and etc.
The Chinese public security organs have adopted a series of measures to crack down on all kinds of criminal IPR infringement. They also attach great importance to international law enforcement cooperation in the fight against IPR infringements and have conducted cooperation with law enforcement organizations of other members. As of December, 2005, the public security authorities have investigated and dealt with, under the Campaign named “ShanYing” or “Mountain Eagle”, a total of 3,534 IPR infringement cases and resolved 3,149, which are respectively 198.5% and 213.6% rise to that of 2004.
The procuratorial organs have earnestly exercised their duties of examination of arrests and prosecutions in cases of criminal IPR infringement, as well as legal supervision over relevant criminal lawsuits in accordance with law, handled a large number of cases of suspected IPR infringement. In 2005, 4,143 IPR criminal cases (increased by 15.86%) have been accepted upon applications for arrest, while 4645 cases (increased by 24.63%) accepted upon prosecution initiatives transferred by public security organs.
The Chinese people’s courts at all levels have continuously strengthened work in IPR-related civil and criminal trials under the principle of “justice and efficiency.” The Supreme People’s Court of China has formulated a series of relevant judicial interpretations in accordance with the law, and improved a series of important IPR-related law application principles. Throughout the year of 2005, 3,567 (increased by 27.9%) criminal cases of IPR infringement have been accepted, while 13,424 (increased by 44.1%) first instance civil cases being accepted.
With regular oversight and specific cases resolution combined, the intensity of IPR protection has been substantially enhanced on both administrative and judicial fronts. In 2004, a National Working Group on IPR Protection headed by Vice Premier was established to assume the responsibility of overseeing and coordinating national work on IPR protection. Between September 2004 and end of 2005, the Chinese Government launched a nation wide special campaign on IPR protection.
The Chinese Government also attaches great attention to the education of intellectual property rights protection with the aim of raising awareness of the whole society. In 2004, the Chinese Government set the week of 20 to 26 April each year as “IPR Protection Education Week” to enhance regular public education throughout the country on IPR protection, to create a favourable social environment which respects other people’s work, respects knowledge and talents, respects creation and innovation, and in a nutshell to raise the general public awareness and consciousness of the issues of intellectual property right and its protection.
China has made significant progress in IPR protection particularly in building the IPR-related legal system and raising the consciousness of the general public for IPR protection. However, the Chinese Government is fully aware that like in all other countries the protection of intellectual property rights is constrained by the level of economic development and other conditions in reality. IPR protection in China cannot be perfected overnight. The Chinese Government is determined to continue its persistent and strenuous efforts to achieve that goal.
Active Participation in the “Doha Round” Negotiations
The Doha Round negotiation has a strong bearing on the future development of international trade, the possibility of balanced and orderly development of the world economy and the immediate interests of the people of the world. The early conclusion of the Doha Round with balanced results upholds the multilateral trading system, and will promote further the liberalisation of international trade. Generally this will be in the interests of all WTO Members including China. Up to now, China has submitted more than 30 proposals and position papers in the negotiations, which had played a positive and constructive role in advancing the negotiations, bridging understanding among WTO Members and narrowing differences.
The Chinese Government is of the view that the Doha Round is a development round. The round should effectively ensure that developing Members benefit from the outcome of the negotiations. The negotiations on each and every specific subject should take full account of the level of development and capacity of developing embers; should put special and differential treatment into effect to allow them to implement development strategy that suits their own conditions within their territories. China supports the outcome of the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference on cotton and duty-free, quota-free market access in favour of the least-developed countries (LDCs) and other relevant developing Members.
On agriculture, China is of the view that there is a fundamental difference in the pressure faced by developed and developing Members. Being a developing Member with a rural population of 740 million, China maintains low tariffs for agricultural products, has eliminated export subsidy and provides domestic support only at de minimis level. China supports the elimination of all kinds of export subsidies provided by developed Members, substantial reduction of trade-distorting domestic support, and significant reduction of tariff peaks and tariff escalation in developed Members. Meanwhile, there should be effective solution of the specific concerns of developing Members relating to special products and special safeguard mechanism.
In respect of non-agricultural market access (NAMA), the Chinese Government supports the consensus reached at the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference on the Swiss Formula with coefficients, which will serve to reduce high tariffs. In the meantime, there should be sufficient difference in the coefficients applied to developing and developed Members to reflect the difference in the level of development and the tariff structures.
In trade in services, China hopes that the negotiations will reflect more the export interests of developing Members, and will strengthen their capacity to participate in world trade in services.
The negotiations on rules should contribute to further clarify and improve WTO rules, promote trade facilitation and reduce the abuse of trade remedy measures, particularly antidumping measures against developing Members.
In this new round of negotiations, special concerns of newly acceded Members including China should be recognized and respected. The transition period for these Members has generally not expired. The market opening pressures from the accession remain to be absorbed. Quite a number of industries are under heavy adjustment pressure when the extensive accession commitments are implemented. Therefore, there should be effective solutions for the special concerns of newly acceded Members in accordance with the Doha Declaration, the July Framework of 2004 and the relevant provisions of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration.
The multilateral trading system is in a critical stage. In spite of the tough negotiation task before us, the Chinese Government aspires to work hard with all other Members in order to conclude the Round before the end of 2006.
Regional Trade Liberalisation
Regional economic and trade cooperation is an objective trend in world economy and trade as well as a natural choice for countries and regions throughout the world to adapt to the accelerating process of globalisation of the world economy. Regional trade liberalisation helps bring down barriers to intra-region trade and investment. It could become a useful supplement to the multilateral trading system and help push forward the global trade liberalisation and investment facilitation.
At the same time, regional trade liberalisation should not be done at the expense of the multilateral trading system. WTO Members participating in regional trade liberalisation have obligations to pursue proper balance between the policy objectives of regional trade liberalisation and the defence of the basic disciplines of the multilateral trading system.
China steadily participates in regional trade liberalisation on the basis of the above mentioned principles. Currently China has concluded or in the process of negotiating nine free trade area agreements involving 27 countries and regions. For 2005, China’s trade volume with these countries and regions was US$ 344.5 billion accounting for one forth of China’s total trade for that year.
The China-ASEAN Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation signed in November 2002 marked the entry into force of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. This is the first free trade area agreement China joined. In November 2004, China and ASEAN concluded China-ASEAN Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation - Agreement on Trade in Goods. In line with the agreement, China and ASEAN started full implementation of tariff concessions as from 20 July 2005. Currently the negotiations on trade in service and investment are accelerating.
The mainland of China concluded the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) with Hong Kong, China and Macao, China in June and October 2003 respectively. Both arrangements entered into force on 1 January 2004. Subsequently supplementary agreements were signed in 2004 and 2005 respectively expanding the coverage of CEPA. The implementation of CEPA and their supplements spurred the liberalisation of trade in goods and services and the facilitation of trade and investment between the mainland and Hong Kong, China and Macao, China. It also promotes the economic integration of the two Special Administrative Regions with the mainland.
The Chinese Government and the Chilean Government signed China-Chile Free Trade Agreement on 18 November 2005. This is the first free trade area agreement China signed with a Latin American country. The two countries will set in motion the full-fledged tariff reduction process for trade in goods in the latter half of 2006.
In April 2005, the Governments of China and Pakistan launched the free trade area negotiations and signed the Agreement on the Early Harvest Programme for the Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force on 1 January, 2006.
Currently, China is negotiating on free trade area agreements with the Gulf Cooperation Council, New Zealand, Australia and etc.
Proper Handling of Trade Disputes
With the rapid growth of global trade, the emergence of trade disputes among trading partners is a normal phenomenon. China has constantly sought to resolve trade disputes properly in accordance with WTO principles and rules, through dialogues and consultations on equal footing and in the spirit of reaching compromise acceptable to both parties.
China is a responsible member of the international trade community. In the formulation and implementation of domestic economic and trade policy, China always gives due consideration to international factors and the impacts on other WTO Members. This constant attitude of the Chinese Government has been manifested in maintaining the stability of the RMB during the Asian Financial Crisis, the reform of RMB exchange rate regime, the restraints exercised over the issue of textiles exports, the reinforced efforts to strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and etc.
China attaches great importance to bilateral consultations and exchange of views with all countries and regions on economic and trade issues. China has established institutionalised mechanism of Mixed (Joint) Economic and Trade Committee with 146 countries and regions to conduct regular consultations, review the state of bilateral trade and economic relations, resolve disputes and outstanding issues and ultimately promote the harmonious and healthy development of economic and trade relations.
China applies an open trade policy. China has no intention to pursue trade surplus and wish to maintain a general balance of imports and exports. Countries and regions are mutually complementary with each other in their economy and trade. Such complementary relationship should not be subject to undue harsh interference with trade policies such as export restrictions of technology.
Currently, China has been subject to the greatest number of anti-dumping actions among all WTO Members. According to WTO statistics, there were 2,743 anti-dumping measures reported during the period from 1995 to first half of 2005, of which 434 were against Chinese products, accounting for 16%. Chinese enterprises and exporters also have grave concern over all kinds of technical barriers and their adverse impact on trade. Interests of a lot of them were also seriously damaged by the restrictive measures against Chinese textiles and clothing.
The Chinese Government holds the view that discriminatory measures against a particular member is contrary to the spirit of free trade and the principle of non-discrimination enshrined in the multilateral trading system. The abuse of such measures damages the creditability of the multilateral trading system and is harmful for its further development.
Promoting Economic Cooperation with Developing Members
The Chinese economy is to a high degree mutually complementary with other developing countries, and there are huge potentials for cooperation. Therefore the Chinese Government attaches great importance to promoting South-South cooperation.
China has granted preferential tariff treatment to more than 30 least developed countries. President HU Jintao announced at the Meeting on Financing for Development of the United Nations Summit in September 2005 that China would further open its market to the LDCs and accord zero tariffs for most China-bound exports from the 39 LDCs having diplomatic relations with China. From 2002 to 2005, import from the 39 LDCs, which China offered special treatment on tariff and market access, is almost quintupled from USD 3.336 billion to USD 15.523 billion.
In respect of investment, China is currently applying the “Go abroad” strategy, encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest and engage in economic and trade cooperation abroad. Developing countries are the primary destinations in this drive. The “Go abroad” strategy has promoted economic cooperation and trade exchange between China and developing countries. It is also conducive to job creation, tax revenue increase and economic development in the host countries.
China is making greatest efforts to provide development assistance to fellow developing countries. Up to now China has provided assistance to more than 110 countries and regional organisations for more than 2,000 projects, written off 198 batches of debts of a total amount of 16.6 billion Yuan owed to it by 44 developing countries. President HU Jintao announced in September 2005 that China would further expand the aid programme for the heavily-indebted poor countries and LDCs and, working through bilateral channels, write off or give up in other ways, within the next two years, all the overdue parts as of the end of 2004 of the interest-free and low-interest governmental loans owed by the HIPCs having diplomatic relations with China. In the coming 3 years, China will provide US$ 10 billion in concessionary loans and preferential export buyer's credit to developing countries, increase medical aid to them, particularly African countries, and help train for them 30,000 qualified personnel of various professions.
On 12 January 2006, the Chinese Government issued the African Policy Paper, setting the direction and priority areas for strengthening China-Africa friendship and cooperation. In the economic related field, the paper expressed China’s intent for cooperation in 10 areas including trade, investment, finance, agriculture, infrastructure, natural resources, tourism, debt release, economic assistance and multilateral cooperation.
III. Outlook
Build a Harmonious Society and a Harmonious World
China’s development goal for the first two decades of this century is to build a well-off society of a higher standard in an all-round way to the benefit of the whole population of 1.3 billion people. China will further develop the economy, improve democracy, advance science and education, enrich culture, foster social harmony and upgrade the texture of life for the people.
In order to achieve this goal, the Chinese Government will guide the overall economic and social development with a people-oriented and scientific approach of comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development. GDP for the next five years is expected to reach at an annual average growth of 7.5 percent in the Eleventh 5-year Development Programme. The priority work is to maintain steady and rapid economic growth free from erratic ups and downs. High priority will be given to the issues of “agriculture, rural areas and farmers”, to steadfastly advancing the building of new socialist rural areas, and resolving the dual structure of rural-urban economy.
China needs to increase overall agricultural capacity, promote agricultural restructuring, intensify development of rural infrastructure, and increase farmers' incomes. China will focus on implementing key projects to establish large production bases for grain, cotton and edible oil, industrialize production of superior quality grain varieties, build water conservancy facilities and safe drinking water supplies, build roads and methane production facilities, and develop education, culture and health in rural areas. China must also comprehensively promote overall rural reform and basically complete reform of town and township government bodies, rural compulsory education, and fiscal management in counties and townships. China needs to create a new type of farmer who has a good basic education and understands both agricultural techniques and business operations.
Over the next two years, China will completely eliminate tuition and miscellaneous fees for all rural students receiving compulsory education. Expenditure for rural compulsory education will be fully incorporated into the central and local government budgets. China will improve the system of rural credit cooperatives, carry out reform of the Agricultural Bank of China and the Agricultural Development Bank of China and increase the pace of innovation in banking and finance in rural areas to improve the banking system and financial services there. China will continue to follow the policy of expanding employment and do everything possible to create more jobs for rural labourers coming to cities to find jobs.China will work out social security measures suitable for rural migrant workers. China will improve the system for providing food, clothing, medical care, housing and burial expenses for childless and infirm rural residents, the system for providing assistance to families in extreme poverty and the system for providing relief to disaster victims by increasing financial support and appropriately raising the level of assistance. Governments in localities where conditions permit need to look for ways to set up a system of subsistence allowances for rural residents. China will launch the Program for Establishing and Developing a Rural Health Care Service System to improve the system and network of medical and health care that spans the three levels of county, township and village. China will speed up the establishment of a new type of rural cooperative medical care system. By 2008, this new system and a rural medical assistance system should be basically in place in all rural areas.
In order to promote domestic consumption, the MOFCOM initiated “Market Development Project Covering Thousands of Villages and Towns” in February, 2005. It aims at gradually popularizing chain-store operations in rural areas; making standardized farmer shops cover 50% of villages and 70% of towns across the country within 3 years; building a modern retail distribution network in rural areas thus making shops in urban areas play a leading role, shops in towns play a major role and shops in villages play a fundamental role. There are 1,150 retail and wholesale enterprises which have started pilot projects in 777 cities and counties nationwide. 71,000 standardized farmer shops have been newly established and renovated within the year.
New model of industrialisation will be followed. Different regions will be categorized as suitable for optimal development, or priority development, or restricted development or development prohibition according to their respective resources and environmental constrains and local potential advantages with the aim of promoting coordinated regional development. The basic national policy of resource-saving and environmental protection will be implemented more effectively to facilitate the building of a resources-efficient and environment-friendly society and to ensure the harmony of economic development, resource availability and environment sustainability. Efforts will also be made to strengthen scientific and technological innovation capability and enhance the quality of the labour force.
The Chinese Government will persist in the “mutually beneficial win-for-all” open strategy, and is of the view that all countries of the world should join hands to build a harmonious world embracing all civilisations. Countries should aim to create a healthy and orderly trading environment and a stable and efficient financial environment conducive to world economic growth through establishing and improving an open, fair and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system and perfecting the international financial regime. Countries should step up worldwide energy dialogues and co-operation and make joint efforts to maintain energy security and energy market stability. Joint efforts should be made to push the economic globalisation in the direction of balanced, universally beneficial and win-for-all development. The developed countries should undertake more responsibility to further open their market, transfer technology, increase assistances and release debts in favour of developing countries, particularly the HIPCs and the LDCs.
Deepen the Reform and Raise Further the Level of Opening
All the achievements that have been made in China’s economic and social development are closely linked with the reform and open policy. In the process of future development, the Chinese Government will persist in the reform and open policy, continue to improve the market economy system and further raise the level of opening up.
The Chinese Government will push forward the reform of the administrative system to strengthen the government’s function of social governance and public service; accelerate the transformation of state-owned enterprises into joint stock companies, promote the joint stock system to be the main vehicle of public ownership, and push forcefully the development of the non-public sectors. Efforts will be made to further the reform of the fiscal and taxation system to accelerate the construction of the public finance system, accomplish the transformation of value-added tax system from production-oriented to consumption-oriented, and unify the taxation system to be applied uniformly to all enterprises. The Government will also accelerate the reform of the financial system to complete the restructuring of state-owned financial enterprises into joint stock companies, and to gradually develop small and medium financial enterprises of multiple ownerships. The Government will further the development of the nation-wide unified market, continue to develop land, technology and labour markets and let the market to play the fundamental role in resources allocation. Building of a credibility and trust system in China will also be accelerated.
The Chinese Government will combine as a whole the domestic development and the opening up, with a view to achieving fast and favourable economic development under more open conditions. China will continue to develop foreign trade, make effort to achieve import and export balance and optimise the structure of import and export products. China will continue to pursue active utilisation of foreign capital while strengthening the guidance on industrial and regional priority for foreign investment, to improve the quality of utilising foreign capital. Chinese enterprises will continue to be encouraged to invest and open up business in foreign countries in accordance with the principles of mutual benefits, win-for-all and mutual complementarity, to improve their understanding and knowledge of international economic, trade and investment environment and abide by international practices in doing business. China will also continue to pursue at multilateral, regional and bilateral level liberalisation of global trade and investment, make effort to stabilise international trade environment, and join in the concerted efforts with all trading partners to achieve the goal of a win-for-all situation.
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