When Taiwan agreed to join the WTO, it also made a commitment to sign the GPA which allows companies from all member countries to bid for public projects in other member countries. Beijing is preventing Taiwan from signing due to a dispute over the name Taiwan plans to use.
Despite the deputy director general's diplomatic language, local business leaders welcomed his visit.
"We're delighted [Defraigne] made the visit," Vuylsteke said. "The greater number of different organizations giving input to the Taiwan government on trade issues -- and on the opportunities the Taiwanese can grasp -- the better."



