Washington appears to be pushing for fresh concessions from Beijing in talks now under way that could seal the fate of China's bid for World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership this year.
Officials and analysts on all sides were expressing little hope of a breakthrough during what is considered the most important trade meeting this year.
Foreign Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng and US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky will attempt to finish negotiations scotched by the White House in April, and then derailed after the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade in May.
A heated political environment in Washington ahead of the talks means President Bill Clinton and Congress have been seeking clear commitments on the opening of strategic financial markets. The US is also expected to seek to better insulate itself from increased textile and steel imports.
However, Chinese diplomatic sources said before the talks that Beijing's position had been made clear over the weekend, and Premier Zhu Rongji's sweeping offers in April were never confirmed as a starting point. 'There needs to be an atmosphere of give-and-take if these talks are to have any chance of succeeding,' one diplomat said.
China's vice-minister of finance, Jin Liqun, said the mainland was working hard for a deal. 'Let me remind you that we have come here with our trade minister just before the 50th anniversary of our country. It shows how seriously we take WTO issues. We hope the US will not miss out this time.' The talks have been cut back to just one day - the latest blow to the sour environment. The sessions are crucial if China is to have a chance of succeeding in gaining entry to the WTO during its Seattle ministerial meeting in November.
