Statement by Foreign Minister Yohei Kono on China's Accession to the WTO and Permanent NTR to China

May 25, 2000

1. The Government of Japan has been consistently supporting the early accession of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO). From this point of view, I would like to welcome the fact that the plenary session of the U.S. House of Representatives has adopted a bill granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to China. I believe the adoption of the bill will give a significant impetus to the process of China's accession to the WTO.
   
   
2. I hope that the passage of this bill will further accelerate the move towards China's accession to the WTO.
   
   

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