CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

I. INTRODUCTION

1. At its meeting on 29 September-1 October 1992, the GATT 1947 Council of Representatives established a Working Party, as reflected in the respective Minutes (document C/M/259), to examine the application of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (hereinafter referred to as "Chinese Taipei") to accede to the General Agreement 1947 under Article XXXIII, and to submit to the Council recommendations which may include a Draft Protocol of Accession. Membership of the Working Party was open to all contracting parties wishing to serve on it. Following the request of Chinese Taipei, circulated in document WT/ACC/TPKM/1, and pursuant to the decision of the General Council of 31 January 1995, the Working Party was transformed into a World Trade Organization (WTO) Working Party to negotiate the terms of accession of Chinese Taipei to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (hereinafter referred to as the "WTO Agreement") under Article XII of that Agreement.

2. The Working Party met on 6 November 1992, 15 April 1993, 28 June 1993, 12 October 1993, 17 May 1994, 26 July 1994, 21 December 1994, 28 February 1997, 8 May 1998, 12 May 1999, and 18 September 2001 under the Chairmanship of H.E. Mr. M. Morland (United Kingdom). The terms of reference and the membership of the Working Party are set out in document WT/ACC/TPKM/6/Rev.6.