To coincide with China’s WTO entry, Mark L. Clifford, Asia regional editor of weekly business magazine BusinessWeek and co-author Supachai Panitchpakdi, director-general designate of the World Trade Organisation, have released an authoritative, reader-friendly guide to the impact of WTO in the real world of business.

Called China and the WTO: Changing China, Changing World Trade, the book looks at complicated issues in a clear, concise way, explaining the background to WTO and how individuals can capitalise on the vast opportunities it presents. Mr Clifford said the book explains in an easy-to-read format what WTO means for the region in terms of foreign investment and the domestic market.

“Although it is particularly oriented to business people, the book was written for a general audience who may not know much about China’s economic reform. It is a book that you can pick up at the airport, read on a plane and get a good view of why WTO matters so much for China.”

He added that companies based in Hong Kong were ideally situated for doing business with China.

“Hong Kong is the business and financial hub of China, and from here you can get to anywhere in the region quite quickly. The free-flow of information in Hong Kong is very important and the infrastructure is fantastic. It is nice to know that you can walk out of the office, five minutes later check in at the Airport Express and be at the airport in 23 minutes. Infrastructure like this is something most cities don’t have.’’

Mr Clifford said Hong Kong is also an international media hub. “For BusinessWeek, Hong Kong is ideal. It is our major branch in Asia, apart from Japan, and is perfectly positioned to cover the greater China story, which we do by working with our bureaus in Beijing and Shanghai.”

Mr Clifford has been in Asia since 1987 when he was recruited from New York to be based in Seoul, South Korea as a correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review. He joined BusinessWeek in Hong Kong in 1995. The book is published by John Wiley & Sons and will be available in bookstores in Hong Kong in early December. Overseas readers can order through www.mphonline.com.

Mark L. Clifford on China's WTO Entry Brings Certainty and Rule of Law Vital for Continued Foreign Investment"