The next round of talks on China's entry to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are expected to be held soon.

The talks have been delayed due to disagreement between China and WTO members, especially the US, over subsidies for agriculture.

According to the official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, yesterday, the differences have been resolved and the US is likely now to agree to an "early start" for the next round of multilateral talks in Geneva.

China has been trying for 15 years to join WTO and the last rounds of accession talks held in January failed to reach agreement.

However, Xinhua reported that China's chief WTO negotiator, Mr Long Yongtu, and the US Trade Representative, Mr Robert Zoellick, agreed at a meeting on Friday that the next round of talks should be held as soon as possible.

At the centre of the accession hold-up is the issue of China seeking to be allowed to increase subsidies to farmers if necessary and access to its tightly guarded insurance market.

The Chinese Trade Minister, Mr Shi Guangsheng, said earlier this month China would enter the WTO soon despite remaining obstacles. While he did not give a date for China's entry, he said membership was certain.