CHINA AND THE WTO: INTEGRATION INTO WORLD POWERS’ CLUB AS A LONGTERM STRATAGEM?

The article discusses features, conditions and results of the integration of the People’s Republic of China into the World Trade Organization. The relevance of problem for international studies is high due to the fact that 2016 has witnessed the end of the 15-year initial term of Chinese WTO membership, and Beijing’s basic approach to it has changed. Currently, PRC applies for a developed economy status in the WTO instead of earlier-claimed developing economy status. e authors analyze the stages of China’s entry into the WTO, the terms of its membership, the PRC – EU and PRC – USA relations factor and China’s policy in WTO. The research is based on the study of diplomatic documents, legal acts and a variety of media sources.