BEIJING (AP) -- Edging closer to its goal of entering the World Trade Organization, China concluded separate market-opening agreements with Venezuela and Cuba on Friday.
China's government-run Xinhua News Agency said the agreements were forged in ``serious and friendly talks.'' But the government did not release details on the accords.
To enter the Geneva-based WTO, China must first reach separate market-access agreements with its major trading partners. Beijing struck a deal with the United States last month, clearing the biggest hurdle in its 13-year quest to join world trade's top body.
The European Union is now the most powerful trading partner China must negotiate with. At a summit with Chinese leaders in Beijing this week, EU officials said they were ready to resume negotiations as soon as China finished studying a list of European demands.