China and its Asian neighbor, Republic of Korea (ROK), have engaged in another round of negotiations over rice. Chinese officials are hoping ROK will follow WTO rules to gradually open up its rice market.

The talks focus on whether ROK will open up its rice market under WTO regulations. During the Uruguay round of WTO talks ten years ago, ROK received an annual rice import quota set at 4 percent of its local consumption. But this special treatment expires by the end of this year.

Zhang Xiangchen, senior official of Ministry of Commerce, said, "Since April this year, we have had six rounds of talks on the rice market. And this should be concluded within the year. If successful, China will export 100,000 tons of rice to ROK each year. The volume will not increase too much."

At present, other WTO members are also negotiating with ROK. Rice exporters want ROK to carry out a tariff system, which will free up imports. Meanwhile, ROK will be forced to raise its import quotas if it wants to maintain the country's current system.

(CCTV.com November 20, 2004)