Chinese premier meets EU leaders

cctv.com 12-09-2004 09:41

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also held talks with other European leaders in The Hague, at the 7th China-EU summit. The discussions centered on ways to strengthen China's comprehensive and strategic partnership with the European Union. Wen also called on the EU to lift its 15-year-old arms embargo on China.

The talks between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and EU leaders covered various issues, including areas of agreement and disagreement. It's been a year since China and the EU agreed on their comprehensive and strategic partnership.

Wen Jiabao outlined the fruits of the closer relationship. He noted that bilateral trade has exceeded 150 billion US dollars this year. And the Chinese premier said the two sides should further expand cooperation and trade, aiming to become each other's biggest trading partner.

The premier suggested several proposals to promote the partnership, including more high-level communication and dialogue, enhanced cooperation on high-technology and resource development, and increased bilateral investment. Wen also called on the 25-nation bloc to recognize China as a full market economy.

Part of the argument for recognition is the issue of anti-dumping. Under the current global trading rules, when China is accused of dumping, arbitrators calculate the price and cost of Chinese goods at rates that apply in a third country, such as Japan or the United States. With market economy status, Chinese costs and prices would apply to the case.

Another major focus of the meeting was the 15-year-old arms embargo, the EU imposed on China in 1989. On Wednesday, the European Union leaders told Wen they would work towards lifting the ban, a move China later welcomed in a joint statement issued after the summit.

Editor:Chen  Source:CCTV.com