ŽIEU :
by the year 2000. The question of whether to involve China is some sort of dialogue with the OECD was still a matter of considerable controversy among the members. In relation to the forthcoming Hong Kong meeting, the problem to be addressed was whether to invite any Chinese. Hong Kong itself was, he said, in favour of such an invitation. The meeting would be discussing the impact of China on trade both regionally and globally. The final decision needed however to be taken at a political level by the OECD Council.
4. In answer to questions, Taniguchi and Barsony made some additional points. On the question of new members, they considered that Taiwan was probably the keenest to join but the political problems with China were probably insuperable at present. Singapore was looking for some sort of linkages or observerships in certain committees but in a relatively relaxed time frame. Korea was not in a particular hurry but was looking to join by the end of 1996: the new Five Year Plan would include considerable de-regulation, particularly in the capital and invisible transactions areas. As to dialogue partners, Indonesia was keen to participate but was currently excluded by an effective Portuguese veto. India was also showing interest but the membership had not so far taken a view. There had been no formal approach by China to engage in dialogue but there had been various contacts with non-governmental Chinese bodies, with the Chinese Embassy in Paris, and through a seminar held by the Development Centre in Peking. The issue of dialogue and contact with China had become a major discussion issue at the recent OECD ministerial. A number of parties, notably the U.S. and the Europeans, were reluctant to contemplate enhanced dialogue with China while human rights abuses continued to be a problem.
5. The Canadian said that his authorities were very enthusiastic to bring China closer to the OECD. He saw this in any case as essential if the membership wished to broaden their contacts with Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Australian said that her authorities were well known for pressing for more OECD focus on the Asia Pacific including China. The Swiss said that one should distinguish between the OECD's general attitude to China and China's possible participation in the forthcoming workshop. In his view, it would be very short-sighted not to have Chinese participation in the workshop but he thought it best to avoid inviting officials who would simply parrot the latest line: this argued for seeking out practitioners e. g. investment experts from CITIC. As to the general OECD attitude towards China, the size of the Chinese economy was not the only issue to be considered: it was China's willingness to play by the rules. The Japanese agreed very much with Switzerland. drew parallels with the extended discussions with China over GATT accession: Japan regarded it as essential to involve China in discussion on the issues of importance to the OECD: only by such exposure would the Chinese learn what was needed to satisfy GATT's requirements.
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