2. The Session was opened by Dr. Yin Dakui, Vice-Minister of Health, People's Republic of China. Dr. Dakui stressed the importance of harmonized standards to ensure consumers' health and the facilitation of international trade in foods. Dr. Dakui noted the worldwide recognition of Codex work under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and on Technical Barriers to Trade as well as the assistance of FAO and WHO in meeting the requirements of these Agreements. Dr. Dakui thanked the government of the Netherlands for the opportunity to host such a historic and important event in the People's Republic of China, and wished all participants a pleasant and enjoyable stay in Beijing.
3. Dr. A. Randell, representative of FAO, thanked both Governments for their splendid initiative towards the facilitation of developing country participation in the work of Codex, and noted that such cooperation was a welcome sign of the willingness of countries to support Codex work throughout the world. Dr. J. Annus, representative of WHO, stressed the importance of the Codex Alimentarius in addressing food safety issues, and noted the spirit of cooperation between FAO and WHO towards the coordination of these initiatives.
4. Mr. A. Oostra, ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands to the People's Republic of China, noted the long-standing cooperation between the Netherlands and other Codex Member Governments in holding Codex sessions in developing countries. He stressed the important subjects under consideration by the Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants and other Codex committees, particularly in regard to risk analysis, biotechnology, contaminants and consumer concerns.
