The WTO ambassador of the People’s Republic of China HE Mr Li Chenggang and the WTO ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda HE Mr Colin Murdoch held a bilateral meeting recently at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Geneva.
At the outset Ambassador Li highlighted the excellent relations between Antigua and Barbuda and China, which have existed for over forty years. He also mentioned the recent visit by PM Gaston Browne to China where he met with the Chinese leader Xi Jinping. He emphasized that the Chinese side regarded the visit of PM Browne as very successful; and that part of his responsibilities was to follow up on aspects of the decisions reached during Mr Browne’s visit.
Ambassador Murdoch stated that he expected relations between both countries to be strengthened after the meeting between Xi Jinping and PM Browne and that he would work towards a closer cooperation between China and Antigua and Barbuda at the WTO. He pointed out that he was aware that both sides had agreed in Beijing to strengthen cooperation in international agencies and bodies such as the WTO.
Both ambassadors discussed the ongoing work of the WTO especially in light of the upcoming 13th ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi at the end of February and how the positions of both countries could be aligned on various issues that will come before the ministerial conference, including WTO reform, fisheries subsidies and special and differential treatment for developing countries. Ambassador Li noted that OECS had been playing a very active role in the ongoing WTO negotiations and he wished to establish a regular consultation mechanism even after the ministerial conference.
On the matter of WTO reform, Ambassador Murdoch briefed Ambassador Li on the OECS position on reform of the WTO dispute settlement system.
Both diplomats agreed to establish regular meetings and to work more closely on WTO issues.
