Background

　　Taiwan acceded to the World Trade Organization on 1 January 2002. Due to the fact that WTO affairs cover a variety of issues, the Taiwanese government immediately gathered relevant authorities to establish a WTO center which is responsible for research, advocacy, training, and database collection. Under the guidance of President Vincent Shaw of the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), the WTO Center officially established on September 8th, 2003, which undertakes four main missions: first, as a customer-driven institution to conduct strategic and significant cross-field research in order to support government policies related to WTO; second, to establish WTO database and website in order to enhance information flow and provide learning support; third, to train talented individuals in the fields of trade and economics, in order to strengthen the nation’s participation in international affairs; and last, to promote international exchange activities in order to increase Taiwan’s role in WTO. Through the accomplishment of forth mentioned missions, the WTO Center wishes to fulfill the goals of strengthening the basis of government policy making, augmenting negotiation services, integrating domestic public opinion, and developing internet networks both domestically and internationally.

Achievements

　　Since its establishment in 2003, the Taiwan WTO Center has actively worked to assist the government in its participation in the Doha Negotiations, and to establishe the necessary “hardware” and “software” facilities required for research. The Taiwan WTO Center has undertaken the systematic analysis and collation of basic data related to WTO issues. By building on existing foundations, the Center has continued to prepare a wide range of supporting materials for the reference of government agencies. The Center has also invited outside researchers to participate in specific research projects. In this way, the Center is able to provide up-to-date information on WTO issues, and also to provide consulting services with respect to the latest developments.


　　Since its establishment in 2004, the Department of Public Relations and WTO Training has hosted or co-hosted more than 30 training programs related to the WTO. These activities included 14 international conferences and seminars at the regional or national level. Academic exchange activities have been arranged by involving leading overseas scholars and international think tanks. The Center has been able to provide ongoing support for various government agencies, thereby helping them to cultivate the human resources they need for WTO activities. The Center has also contributed to the enhancement of the overall level of capabilities for participation in international trade by trade unions and individuals in all sectors. By cooperating with local universities, the Center has also helped to cultivate the manpower for international trade, thereby strengthening the foundations for Taiwan’s becoming conversant with WTO procedures.


　　The Taiwan WTO Center established its own in-house library in September 2003. This was followed in December 2003 by the establishment of a website on the WTO, and the release of the Center’s first WTO e-paper. Besides an overview of WTO organization and activities, the website also covers WTO agreements, the latest developments in key WTO issues, WTO-related research, conference records and submissions by individual Members in WTO negotiations. The information collated by the Center has been integrated to form a WTO information database, so that the website provides effective decision-making support. The website has already become an important resource for international trade research and for individuals and organizations in all sectors to access WTO-related news and information.


　　In addition to collecting information and materials related to the WTO, the Taiwan WTO Center Library has also been actively acquiring trade-related books, periodicals and other materials. The Library currently houses a collection of over 10,000 books and more than 30 periodicals; it also provides access to more than 10 electronic databases.


　　The Taiwan WTO Center releases a biweekly e-paper that covers the latest developments in WTO affairs, as well as occasional e-forums and special editions focusing on hot issues. These e-papers have already become an important source of WTO-related information for individuals and organizations of all sectors, as well as providing a platform for exchange and interaction. The Center’s biweekly e-paper currently has more than 8,000 subscribers, a figure which reflects the gradual increase of public interest on WTO affairs.

Background Information on Taiwan’s Accession to the WTO

　　Taiwan applied to become a GATT member on January 1, 1990, as the "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu" (also referred to as Chinese Taipei). After years of hard efforts, multiple bilateral and multilateral consultations were finally concluded in 2001. The eleventh session of the Working Party on Taiwan's accession was convened on September 18th of 2001, and completed the examination of the Protocol of Accession, the Working Party Report, the Schedule of Tariff Concessions and the Schedule of Specific Commitments on Services. Taiwan’s accession was approved on November 11th at the fourth WTO Ministerial Conference. The following day, Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Hsin-yi represented Chinese Taipei to sign the Protocol of Accession. On November 16th, the Legislative Yuan reviewed and approved related accession documents, four days later, President Chen Shui-bian passed Taiwan’s accession agreements. On December 2nd, Taiwan informed the WTO Secretariat its formal acceptance of the Protocol. After 12 years of accession process, on January 1st, 2002, Chinese Taipei formally joined the WTO as its 144th member.