The objectives of this article are thus to examine patterns of recent changes between
2001 and 2005 in China’s international export trade in fresh/chilled, preserved and
dried, and processed vegetable products since its WTO membership. It aims to assess
whether China has indeed subsequently benefited in its export performance as a WTO
member in a labour intensive product area for which it ostensibly should have a
comparative advantage, and to identify some of the underlying factors which will
determine its future export opportunities for these products in global markets. The
primary reasons for focussing on vegetables are twofold: their importance in China’s