STATEMENT BY MR. LI ENHENG, MINISTER AND DPR

OF PERMANENT MISSION OF CHINA TO WTO

AT THE INFORMAL OPEN-ENDED SPECIAL SESSION OF

COMMITTEE OF AGRICULTURE

May 9, 2008

Mr. Chair,

China would like to endorse the statement by Brazil on behalf of the G20 and the statement by Indonesia on behalf of the G33.

Mr. Chair,

Like many other developing Members, we do appreciate the actions the Members of the G6 on Sensitive Products have taken in relation to their further explanation of the approach for TRQ expansion.  However, we still have some questions and doubts about it, particularly on the necessity for developing Members to submit any list of Sensitive Products and the data thereof. It is our belief that the treatment of Sensitive Products for developing Members should be different from those of the developed.

The issues of Tropical Products and Preference Erosion are of key importance to developing Members, including China. We also have specific concerns on the list of Tropical Products and are looking forward to a proper time and occasion for us to discus it in combination with the issue of Preference Erosion under the Special Session of Committee on Agriculture, either in Room D or the informal Open-ended Session.

Mr. Chair,

Taking into consideration of the current food crisis, we believe that the levels of trade-distorting subsidies in developed countries must be reduced substantially and effectively, so as to improve the enthusiasm and the competitiveness of developing Members in food production;

Rising food prices have proved that in the current negotiations, it is very relevant and critical to satisfy the basic demand of the G33 and other developing Members in relation to the Special Products and Special Safeguard Mechanism in order to address the growing concerns of developing countries about food security, livelihood security and rural development from a long-term perspective;

China has a 1.3 billion population and made extensive as well as intensive concessions upon its accession to the WTO.  It has been one of the fundamental national strategic policies for China to achieve self-sufficiency as much as possible in food supply.  This is absolutely necessary for China to ensure its economic development and social stability.  It is also an important contribution to the world goal of food security and the prevention or alleviation of the pressure of world food crisis on the mankind.  For the benefit of all, it is critical for us to conclude this Round of negotiations successfully by effectively addressing among others the particular concerns of RAMs including China.

Mr. Chair,

We would like to see the above-mentioned elements be sufficiently taken into account in your next revised draft modalities.

Before concluding my statement, Mr. Chair, let me join quite a few other delegations speaking before me in expressing our admiration and appreciation to your chairmanship and your way of conducting our business in the Special Session which has always been transparent and inclusive and following a bottom-up approach.  This is one of the important factors for what we have achieved and what we will achieve in this negotiating body. Like other delegations we also support your proposal put forward at the beginning of this meeting on the process of the negotiations in the coming weeks.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.