From December 2 through December 12, 2002, the U. S. Department of Commerce will host a delegation of officials from the People's Republic of China, led by Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Long Yongtu, in a visit to several U.S. cities as the next in a series of legal exchanges that the two countries have conducted under the auspices of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade since 1983. On December 6 in Washington, DC, the Chinese delegation will conduct a public seminar on the legal changes occurring in China as a result of China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Vice Minister Long, Director General Li Ling (MOFTEC Department of Treaties and Law), and other Chinese officials will make several presentations regarding China's new and proposed trade, investment, intellectual property, and other law and regulations. The officials also will respond to questions from the audience. This seminar will present an unusual opportunity to hear directly from Chinese officials regarding a wide range of issues arising from China's implementation of its WTO commitments, and to provide those officials with a private sector perspective on those efforts.

For additional information please contact the Adam Bobrow at The U.S. Department of Commerce (202) 482-2510 or Abobrow@doc.gov.