Media releases
Friday 31 May 2002 / MVT055/2002
Vaile Tells China to Stay Sweet on Sugar
Trade Minister Mark Vaile overnight delivered an important message
to his Chinese counterpart as China begins implementing its WTO market
access commitments.
During the APEC Trade Ministers Meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico,
Mr Vaile met with the Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Foreign
Trade and Economic Cooperation, Mr Lu Fuyuan.
“I expressed my concern to Vice Minister Lu that China needs to ensure
that it implements fully its WTO market access commitments on sugar,”
Mr Vaile said.
“I asked Mr Lu to look into this matter following reports that China
had suspended sugar imports.
“I also asked the Vice Minister, if the reports could be substantiated,
to move quickly to demonstrate China’s commitment to implementing
its WTO obligations.”
Under its WTO accession obligation, China agreed to make available
access for imports in 2002 of 1.76 million tonnes of sugar within
a tariff quota.
Media Contact: Nicole Guihot 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Thursday, 17-May-2012 16:50:50 EST
