Wal-Mart executives made the commitment during visits to branches of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) in Shenzhen and Nanjing, where a total of five Wal-Mart unions have been formed.

A statement released by Wal-Mart on Wednesday said the company would cooperate closely with the ACFTU in setting up trade unions in all its 60 Wal-Mart outlets in China.

Joe Hatfield, president of Wal-Mart Asia, said "I hope to establish with the ACFTU and local branches a good relationship that would be conducive for our employees and business development."

"We think it is in line with Chinese government's efforts to build a harmonious society," Hatfield added.

The commitment of the world's top retail giant came as six trade unions have been established at its Chinese outlets in the past two weeks since July 29: four in Shenzhen and one each in the eastern city of Nanjing and the southeastern city of Quanzhou.

The sixth trade union was set up at 10:30 on Wednesday morning at its Zhongshan store in Shenzhen where Wal-Mart locates its China headquarters.

So far, four out of the thirteen Wal-Mart outlets in Shenzhen have established their own trade unions.