11.   Taiwan, an economic powerhouse, has called for shelving the thorny matter of sovereignty and first negotiating simpler issues with China.

12.   Thorny matters such as territorial disputes that brought the two neighbors and fellow NATO members to the brink of war several times are not on the agenda.

13.   Unlike two previous rounds this year, EU Trade Commissioner Lamy led the delegation, a sign negotiations were down to thorny political matters.

14.   Unlike two previous rounds this year, Lamy led the delegation, a sign negotiations were down to thorny political matters.