In a joint interview with the media on June 19 in Beijing, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Pacal Lamy commented China's role in the Doha trade talks, "China is an important member of the WTO.  China is among the main backbones to insist the resumption of the talks."  Lamy highlighted that WTO members must first reach an interim agreement on cutting agriculture subsidies, agriculture tariffs and industrial tariffs before other issues such as IPR protection, principles of antidumping, customs proceedings and fishing subsidies.

Lamy believed the visit helped him learn a lot about China's stances, objectives and sensitivities in the trade talks and eased some tension for future Doha talks.  While recognizing China's sensitivities, Lamy said China, as a developing country, "is entitled to have flexibility without neglecting the overall objective of the talks -- that is to provide more market access."  Lamy has met with top Chinese officials of Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance, China People's Bank, State Intellectual Property Office and Ministry of Commerce in Beijing.