China's constructive integration into the world trade & economic system is of the utmost importance to the people of Asia, to the United States & other OECD countries, & to the international community as a whole. The Chinese economy of decades past; under the rigid domination of state planners & isolated from the outside world; is substantially transforming to market orientation & openness to trade. The future path of the Chinese economy, now the second largest in the world, will strongly influence the path of economic development in the Asia-Pacific region, & with it the path of the world trading system. This book brings together leading international trade law & economics experts, government officials responsible for the formulation & implementation of trade policy with China, & business executives at firms with significant interests in China, to consider the future of trade policy for & with China. The World Trade Organization (WTO) stands firmly as the third pillar of the system of international institutions designed to promote a world of peace, financial stability, & economic development. This book focuses on China's prospective accession to the WTO; a step that would commit China to following the rule of law in international trade. The terms of China's accession will provide guideposts for accessions by other former command economy countries, including Russia. Bringing China into the WTO system is vital to the WTO & to the future of world trade.

So too is assuring that the accession is accomplished in a way that preserves the open character & rule orientation of the system. 'China's entry into the WTO is a major issue in Sino-American relations. This volume provides a valuable guide to the issues at stake from European & American perspectives & makes several useful policy recommendations. The volume should be read by all interested in China's integration into the international economy.' Michel Oksenberg, Senior Fellow & Professor of Political Science, Asia/Pacific Research Center, Stanford University.