Bilateral negotiations between China and the then WTO member countries were preparatory steps for China’s accession to the WTO 20 years ago. Talks with the Americans were arguably the most difficult. How receptive were American officials and business community toward the prospect of China joining the WTO back then? Reflecting on the past 20 years, what should we make of some American politicians’ statement that China benefitted more than America from their trading with each other?   Our host Liu Kun is joined by He Weiwen, former economic and commercial counselor in China's Consulate General in San Francisco and New York.  He was among those who laid the groundwork for China-U.S. bilateral negotiations at the time.