Despite difficulties in China's negotiations for access to the World Trade Organization, progress has been made, an official of China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation said on March 13.

The Chinese delegation attended the third meeting of the WTO Working Party on China held in Geneva from March 4 to 6, at the invitation of the Party's chief. Before and during the meeting, China consulted with WTO members including many developing countries.

In these discussions, an increasing number of nations expressed the hope for a faster pace in the negotiation process for China's entry, the official said.

He said it is the consensus of the WTO members that China's entry into the organization will help strengthen the multilateral trade system.

Yet, the official added, whether the final progress would be made will be decided by the political will of all the parties.

China will continue to have talks with all the parties, the official commented, "China needs the WTO, and the WTO needs China."