In Geneva on August 1, head of the Chinese delegation Long Yongtu called on all the World Trade Organization (WTO) members to be practical so as to bring the negotiations on China's accession forward.

In a statement to the fifth meeting of the Working Party on China's Accession to WTO, Long, Chief negotiator and Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, said that the Chinese delegation held "intensive and productive" bilateral consultations with more than 16 WTO members in the past week and won favorable response from some of them.

He urged all others to "adopt the same positive, practical and responsible attitude", saying the negotiations had translated the Chinese government's firm commitment to joining WTO into concrete actions.

He suggested that WTO adopt a long-term view and make realistic requests on China in line with its current level of economic development.

Noting that negotiations during the next few months will be critical, Long pledged that China would make greater progress at the next Working Party meeting.

In a summing-up of the meeting, Chairman of the Working Party on China, Pierre-Louis Girard, said that the current meeting had fulfilled "in part" the objectives set at the last meeting.