China on Tuesday got its first judge on the  World Trade Organization (WTO)'s highest court, six years after the country joined the Geneva-based body.

Chinese lawyer Zhang Yuejiao was formally appointed by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) as a member of the seven-person Appellate Body, which issues final rulings in trade disputes, WTO sources said.

Jennifer Hillman of the United States, Lilia Bautista of the Philippines and Shotaro Oshima of Japan were also appointed as new members of the top court at a DSB meeting on Tuesday.

The appointments were made according to the Dispute Settlement Understanding which stipulates that the Appellate Body shall " comprise persons of recognized authority, with demonstrated expertise in law, international trade and the subject matter of the WTO agreements generally," a WTO statement said.

The WTO said Hillman and Bautista would formally join the top court next month, while Zhang and Oshima would join in June. They can serve up to two four-year terms.

Zhang, 63, is professor of law at Shantou University in China. She is also an arbitrator on China's International Trade and Economic Arbitration Commission and practises law as a private attorney.

Zhang once held positions at the Chinese Ministry of Commerce as well as at the Asian Development Bank.

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2007)