As China moves to meet the criteria of the WTO accord, its relaxation of restrictions against foreign trade and investment have been largely applauded by the international community. But it is also interesting to note that that some of the more recent laws passed by the Chinese Government over the past twelve months have been driven by the authorities' own desire to deepen economic reform in order to recapitalise the state-sector and create an even more attractive environment for foreign investment.
Soon after accession, China undertook the mammoth task of updating its MA regulations to make them consistent with WTO obligations. Whilst some critics have commented that non-tariff and other administrative barriers...