China says it wants to take part in negotiations aimed at opening South Korea's rice market under the framework of the World Trade Organization.

South Korea's diplomatic mission in Geneva said that China gave Seoul its official notification of its plan to join the rice market liberalization talks Tuesday.

Last year, China exported more than 100,000 tons of rice to South Korea, making it the largest rice exporter to the nation.

Australia, Argentina and Thailand also notified Seoul of their willingness to start talks on further opening the Korean rice market.

In January, South Korea relayed its wish to the WTO to resume rice negotiations. Interested nations must notify their willingness to participate in the rice talks before the Tuesday deadline.

Seoul plans to enter into bilateral negotiations with concerned countries at the end of the month or early next month.

Under the 1994 Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, South Korea must conclude talks on the opening of its rice market by the end of this year.