About us

After China 's acce ssion into the WTO in December 2001 , China's national trade policies are to harmonize with WTO rules . Experiences from other countries showed that WTO rules have had adverse impacts to poverty reduction. Given the limited information flow and low level of understanding, we believed that collaboration among local, national and international NGOs are required to work together on WTO related issues. An idea of formulating a network or policy circle was emerged among several NGOs and researchers for an ongoing, two-way information exchange on China's policies and WTO agreements, their impact on the rural poor and the environment .

In December 2005, WTO will host its sixth ministerial conference in Hong Kong. Important movements are supposed to be made for the on-going negotiations of the Doha Development Agenda, setting the modalities of the Agreement on Agriculture is one for example. As a result, it is important to equip people and concerned groups in China with the progress of the negotiations, the contentious issues, the different positions on these issues and the possible impacts. This policy network hopes to do this job. ( see Members of the Steering Committee on the web site www.chinawtonetwork.org )

Objectives

•  To provide a platform where civil society can contribute to WTO discussions and viewpoints

• To enhance exchange for national and international NGOs and interested parties on on-going WTO negotiations and trade rules development
• To share reports/research findings on impact of international trade on China's poor communities and agricultural sustainability

•  To cultivate a forum for the debate of WTO and poverty related issues , and to discuss alternatives for sustainab le development in China ;

• To raise awareness of local NGOs, research institutions , media and general public on WTO issues so that they will pursue the ir interests and influence policy debates.

Target members

The network aims to involve both national and international groups and individuals for exchange, however, major effort will be put in recruiting national groups due to the low awareness in China.

Members ' commitment

• Contribute papers, articles and research reports
• Share information and plans of WTO related work
• Participate in forum debates

Planned Activities

The 6 th WTO Ministerial conference (MC6) in Hong Kong will set the milestone of the Doha Development Agenda. In order to equip network members with the ability to response to this, and to build the momentum of the network, specific programs are set running up to MC6.

May E stablish a website which will i) centralize papers and research reports related to WTO from both locally in China and overseas; ii) contain easily understood education material provide by members

June-Sep R egular update on the negotiation s, and a Pre-MC6 conference for members to discuss the WTO issues

Oct-Dec F acilitate Chinese members to participate in the MC6 ( 20 selected for sponsorships )