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WTO entry casts developing shadow

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China's top trade negotiator has hailed the mainland's impending entry into the World Trade Organisation as a victory for developing nations.

It will indeed be a victory on a number of fronts after 14 years of difficult negotiations, but whether all developing countries rejoice when the day arrives is open to question.

Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation Long Yongtu has had to fend off criticism from developing countries that China, as a member in the world trade body, would be able to take advantage of new market opportunities - and leave less on the table for them.

'Some people say that China's accession to the WTO will bring shocks to the markets of developing countries,' said Mr Long during a stop in Shanghai before he left for a round of multilateral talks on the WTO in Geneva.

'I believe this view is mistaken.'

Mistaken or not, there are real concerns. India has long been put out by the sometimes irrational focus of investment attention on China. India also has a big population and key development needs but compared with China it has been left far behind in the race for foreign investment dollars.

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