China to become full member of OIV

Member countries of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) are reviewing China’s application to become a full member of the organisation. China is expected to become the OIV’s 51st official member country in November at the organisation’s 100th anniversary celebration conference. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has formally submitted an application to join the OIV through the Chinese Embassy in France, it was revealed at a press conference in Ningxia on 11 July. Full member status will give China the power to influence international standards and regulations on wine production and consumption. According to Vino Joy, the application is officially under review by member countries. Seven countries in Asia — Armenia, Lebanon, Israel, India, Russia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan — are already member states of the organisation. Three African nations, six countries in the Americas, 32 in Europe and two in Oceania are also full members of the OIV. To join the OIV, ...