China's ambassador to the United States yesterday called on Washington not to raise the threshold for China's admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). "After 20 years of reform, China is already qualified (for entry). I hope our American friends will not raise the threshold," ambassador Mr Li Zhaoxing said as he urged the US side to take a "more pragmatic, flexible" attitude.

He said both sides were making preparations for a discussion of the issue at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum in Auckland, New Zealand, although this was denied by a Chinese trade official.