China pushes Azerbaijan entry into WTO

BEIJING, March 19 (UPI) -- China said Saturday a three-day visit by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has led to an agreement to pursue trade and economic cooperation.

Beijing officials said Chinese President Hu Jintao supported Azerbaijan's entry into the World Trade Organization at an earlier date than currently planned, the government-run Xinhua agency said.

They also said the two countries will encourage their enterprises to expand cooperation in such fields as oil and chemistry, light industry, machinery manufacturing, agriculture, transportation and telecommunication.

Xinhua also said Azerbaijan opposes Taiwan's independence.