Shi Guangsheng, Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, signed in Doha on Sunday the protocol on China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The protocol spells out the rights and obligations of China's WTO membership, which was formally approved by the WTO Saturday.
In a statement after signing the protocol, Shi said that immediately after the signing ceremony he will present to the WTO secretariat a document signed by Chinese President Jiang Zemin ratifying China's entry into the WTO.
WTO Director-General Mike Moore and Qatari Trade Minister Youssef Hussain Kamal were present at the signing ceremony. Both of them made speeches congratulating China on its accession to the WTO.
Under WTO rules, China will formally become a WTO member on December 11 this year.
(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2001)