China, Taiwan Will Bring WTO's Membership To 144

ByJohn S. McClenahen Having ratified the necessary documents, the People's Republic of China officially will become the 143rd member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Dec. 11. China's participation in the international organization, which sets trading rules for most of the world's nations, was assured on Nov. 10, when the WTO approved its membership at a meeting of world trade ministers in Doha, Qatar. Also on Nov. 10, the WTO approved membership for Taiwan, which the Beijing government considers to be a breakaway province of the People's Republic and the WTO has designed a separate customs territory. Taiwan will become the 144th member of the WTO once it has ratified its membership.