China begins cutting average tariff rate to 10.4%
( 2004-01-02 09:46) (Agencies)
China started to slash its average import tariff rate to 10.4 percent from
currently 11 percent in accordance with the commitments to the World
Trade Organization (WTO).
Chinese models pose in a newly opened auto
showroom in Beijing. China has started slashing its average import tariff rate to
10.4 percent from the current 11 percent.
|
The announcement was made after the planned tariff cuts were agreed to by the
State Council, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.
In the course of 2003, China has reduced its average import tariff rate from
12 percent to the present level. The previous year marked a steeper cut from a
15.3 percent average import tariff rate.
The tariff cuts announced Thursday by China means the world's most populous
country has nearly completed the lowering of tariffs that was part of the
requirements for entering the WTO.
China joined the WTO as its 143rd member in December 2001, promising to cut
average import tariffs to 9.8 percent by 2010.
|
