1.33. The representative of China said that her delegation welcomed the draft composite text on the multilateral system of notification and registration of GIs as a basis for future consultations on this issue. While her delegation had well understood the Chair's comments on the mandate for the Special Session, it was against discriminating between wines and spirits and other products and would therefore like to restate its position on this issue. China supported negotiations on all three TRIPS issues, namely, the GI register, GI extension and TRIPS-CBD, and that such negotiations should be held in parallel in different fora. With respect to the multilateral system of notification and registration of GIs, China believed it should apply not only to GIs for wines and spirits, but to GIs for all kinds of foods. At the same time developing country Members and LDCs should be granted S&D, including conditional time periods, exemption from registration fees, and technical and financial assistance. China would continue to actively engage in the future consultations on TRIPS issues and was looking forward to a comprehensive and fruitful result in this regard.
