16th December 2005

Hong Kong Trade and Development Symposium Session 8.3: China and WTO, impacts and interacts


China has gone through a long process of liberation since the late 70s. WTO accession in 2001 is a milestone to liberation and trade reform. How this significant move changes China has been an important research agenda. The impact of WTO on China is diverse, complex and interconnected, depending on the lens you view from. A World Bank report estimated that the poorest rural populace are the worst affected sector.

The China WTO Network hopes to serve as a platform where academics, NGOs, media and the public can discuss issues related to WTO and development. We promote knowledge and experiences exchange within china and outside of China. This session allow people from different sectors to share their life experience and knowledge about post WTO China. Speakers will review the impact of trade liberalization on rural development, environment and livelihoods of people.

Agenda

Panel One: AoA Related Issues and Cases

Ms. Guang Xia, Guangxi Women Government Official’s College on Various issues facing China’s agriculture during the 20 years that China opens to the outside world

Mr. Han Yi Jun, Agricultural Economics Research Centre on the status of China’s agriculture since the accession to WTO, the impacts, and the adjustment China has to make

Ms. Lian Pei Feng, Hong Kong Oxfam. Case analysis - the impacts of rich countries’ dumping on China

Mr. Tang Ren Wu*, Beijing Normal University

Mr. Zheng Bin, Shanxi Yong Ji Farmers Association. Sharing the cases on how Chinese farmers are coping with the impacts

Panel Two: TRIPs, GATS, NAMA Related Impacts after China’s WTO Accession and Cases Analysis

Zeng Ya Wen, Professor, Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Seeds resources in China and its linkage to TRIPs- some cases

Li Bo, Centre for Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge, Yunnan. Case analysis - the impacts on China’s tourism since China’s accession to WTO

Huang Yong, Environment Daily. China’s Environmental Diplomacy in relation with Trade and Environment

Chen Xiao Jiang, Shanxi Women’s Federation. Case of Wal-mart - the impacts on China’s services sector since the accession to WTO

Li Li, Correspondent of Guizhou Daily, Coordinator of Highland Research Institute, Guizhou. Cases Analysis - the impacts on China’s education since China’s accession to WTO

*TBC

Organisers

The China WTO network is a newly established network aims to create a platform for understanding, learning and discussing China and WTO issues in relations to trade development and environment. Network members include national and international NGOs and academics and research institutes. Upon the accession of the WTO, China’s national trade policies are to harmonize with WTO rules, which in a way posted limitations to government policies to manage trade, including those for rural development and poverty reduction. Therefore, it is vital to access the post accession impacts, the policies changes and the current WTO negotiations and make sure that these changes are pro-development. Currently, there are limited platforms to discuss the issues, share information and exchange experiences. The network hopes to fill this gap.