United States presidential adviser Gene Sperling (L) and U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshef.., 1999-11-15 (photo)

United States presidential adviser Gene Sperling (L) and U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky (2nd L) toast Chinese Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng (R) after signing an agreement in Beijing November 15 that paves the way to Beijing's entry to the WTO, a milestone that will throw open a vast market of 1.2 billion consumers to unprecedented access by foreign firms. After six days of gruelling talks - and critical intervention by Chinese Premier [Zhu Rongji] - the final document was signed for China to join the World Trade Organisation this year. The woman next to Shi Guangsheng is unidentified.