---
title: "China joins WTO — Definition & Meaning | Model Diplomat"
description: "China joined the World Trade Organization on 11 December 2001 after 15 years of negotiations, impacting global trade dynamics significantly."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/china-joins-wto"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- China formally acceded to the World Trade Organization on 11 December 2001 as its 143rd member, after fifteen years of negotiations begun in 1986.
- When did China join the WTO and as which member?
- What is the significance of the non-market economy clause in China's Protocol of Accession?
- Under which agreement and article did China accede to the WTO?
- How did WTO membership affect China's global trade position?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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## Timeline

1. 11 December 2001

   China formally acceded to the World Trade Organization on as its 143rd member, after fifteen years of negotiations begun in 1986.

2. 10 November 2001

   The Ministerial Conference at Doha approved China's membership on , and accession took legal effect the following month.

3. 1 January 2002

   Separately, the customs territory of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) acceded on .

4. 11 December 2016

   Section 15(a)(ii) was widely read as expiring on , prompting China to challenge the EU's and the United States' continued NME treatment at the Dispute Settle…

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Example

In November 1999, US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji concluded the pivotal bilateral market-access deal that cleared China's path to WTO membership two years later.

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