Research On The Classification Of Electronic Commerce In WTO

Since 1990, electronic commerce of which development based on the computer and information technology has been accelerated the speed of information transmission and fund turnover, simplified the course of international commerce, decreased the cost of international commerce, expanded the range of world market and enhanced the opportunity of international commerce greatly. As one of the most important multilateral trade organization, WTO should draw up corresponding rules for electronic commerce.In fact, Electronic commerce was included in the multilateral trade system at the first Ministerial Conference of WTO in 1996. Meanwhile, it is one of the important negotiate topics in the new round negotiation of WTO. At the second Ministerial Conference of WTO in 1998,《Declaration on Global Electronic Commerce》was passed to urge the General Council to established the framework for the work programme. At the forth Ministerial Conference of WTO in 2002, the General Council decided to reinvigorate the WTO's work on e-commerce. At the Cancun Ministerial Conference held in 2003, the General Council has maintained the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce as a standing item on its agenda.To study every Ministerial Conference, it can be concluded that the classification and modes of electronic commerce in WTO is the most important issue. In order to resolve this problem, the writer does a systematic research on how WTO regulates electronic commerce by employing positive methods, especially GATS, GATT and ITA. By clarifying the relationship between them, the writer puts forward some concrete proposals to China's electronic commerce to develop electronic commerce.The thesis altogether consists of four chapters. In chapter 1 based on analyzing every Ministerial Conference, it can be concluded that the classification and modes of electronic commerce in WTO is the most important issue. This part analyzes some of the most prevalent issues in electronic commerce: does GATT, GATS apply to digital products? If digital products are classified to service, then which service mode is it? Which service mode is electronic transmission service?In chapter 2 the writer will discuss the first issue. Through studying four projects, it can be concluded that the digital products are classified in GATS is not only corresponding to the theory but also to the behalf between the developed country and the developing country.In chapter 3 the writer will discuss the second issue. Through studying four modes, it can be concluded that correctly distinction between the mode 1 and mode 2 is the most effective way to decrease controversy.In chapter 4 deals with the influence on China's electronic commerce and some solutions to it. The writer, in this part, according to the reality of China's electronic commerce, analyzes the influence on the development of China's electronic commerce, and puts forward some concrete proposals to it to develop its electronic commerce.