On Oct. 17, 1999, upon the request of President Clinton, President Jiang Zemin had a phone talk with President Clinton through the direct secure telephone link, exchanging views on the negotiation between China and the U.S. on China's accession to the WTO.

On November 7, upon the request of U.S. President Clinton, President Jiang Zemin had a phone talk with President Clinton on the bilateral negotiation between China and the U.S. on China's accession to the WTO.

Nov. 10-15, Chinese Government delegation headed by Mr. Shi Guangsheng, Minister of Foreign Trade & Economic Cooperation and the U.S. Government delegation headed by Ms. Bashervski, U.S. Trade Representative and Mr. Sperling, Director of U.S. National Economic Council held talks in Beijing on China's accession to the World Trade Organization. The two sides signed the Bilateral Agreement on China's Accession to the World Trade Organization on Nov. 15, 1999.

After the signing ceremony, President Jian Zemin met with the U.S. delegation. President Jiang stated that the signing of the agreement was conducive to expediting China's accession to the World Trade Organization, promoting the overall development of China - U.S. economic and trade cooperation, the improvement and development of China - U.S. relations, as well as adding new momentum to the development and prosperity of the world economy. Jiang Zemin also pointed out that the conclusion of the bilateral agreement by both sides of China and the U.S. has fully demonstrated that both sides should view and handle the major issues concerning the fundamental interests of the Chinese and American people and the people of the world in a strategic and the twenty-first century perspective.

Editor: Wing