On August 4, 2003, the third Sino-EU WTO program, focusing on WTO-related interpreter (译员) training, was launched at Xiamen University. Since China’s entry into WTO, helping China better implement the promises it made to integrate(纳入) into the world economic system has become a common concern of all countries. Improving the understanding of WTO rules and regulations of interpreters, who are the“interface”of communication between foreigners and Chinese, is the first step.

　　Among all the WTO cooperation programs in China, the Sino-EU WTO program is the most comprehensive. Co-lectured by Prof. Frank Gogoll from University of Applied Sciences Colgne and professors from The Accreditation Centre for Interpreters and Translators (ACIT，口笔译资格认证中心), Xiamen University, 24 government officials from local Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Departments and Commissions joined in this program. This month, they will study international trade systems, explore implications(含意) of WTO agreements, and learn from the experiences of both developed and developing countries.

　　The Sino-EU WTO Program＇s Present and Future

　　Created in 2001, this Sino-EU WTO program, representing a total investment of 3.6 million Euros, consists of two parts. Firstly, personnel training which targets central and local government officials, entrepreneurs and trade union members. Secondly, joint-study programs which emphasize hot issues such as anti-dumping policies, food safety and technical barriers of trade. "As a three-year cooperation project, this Sino-EU WTO program will end this year but an even larger Sino-EU program 'Support for China's Integration into World Economy' is following, with an investment of 15 million Euros," Ouyang Xiaohong, Chinese director of this current program from the Commerce Ministry(商务部) said gladly.

　　Why Xiamen University Is Chosen

　　The first Sino-EU WTO program was held in 2001 at The Beijing Foreign Languages University(北京外国语大学). Yu Hao(喻浩), a former postgradute of Xiamen University, participated(参加). His excellent performance in the training course impressed(留下印象) both the teachers and classmates, which led directly to cooperation(合作) between ACIT and this program in 2002.

　　The successful organization and high-level of training staff of Xiamen University won respect from the program staff from both the EU(欧盟) and the Commerce Ministry of China and both partners are now looking forward to more fruitful cooperation in the future.

　　The first Sino-EU WTO program was held in 2001 at The Beijing Foreign Languages University(北京外国语大学). Yu Hao(喻浩), a former postgradute of Xiamen University, participated(参加). His excellent performance in the training course impressed(留下印象) both the teachers and classmates, which led directly to cooperation(合作) between ACIT and this program in 2002.

　　The successful organization and high-level of training staff of Xiamen University won respect from the program staff from both the EU(欧盟) and the Commerce Ministry of China and both partners are now looking forward to more fruitful cooperation in the future.