Wen says Japanese wages too low
Source: Agencies |
August 30, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
PREMIER Wen Jiabao told a visiting Japanese delegation yesterday that Japanese companies operating in China should address workers' unhappiness over low wages that he said led to labor disputes this year.
Wen's comment came after Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada called for "transparent policies" governing workers in China, saying the labor disputes that halted work at dozens of factories were troubling to Japanese companies.
Okada brought up the issue at a high-level economic meeting between China and Japan in Beijing on Saturday held to discuss ways to recover from the economic crisis and foster regional cooperation.
"Labor disputes are occurring at some foreign companies, where there is a problem of relatively low wages. We would like (Japan) to address this issue," Wen told Japanese officials, according to a news release by Japan's foreign ministry.
Okada said on Saturday the two sides discussed ensuring transparent policies during talks on how to improve the business environment in China.
"As to the recent frequent labor dispute issue, the Japanese side expressed willingness to further strengthen discussion," he told reporters.
The Chinese delegation at the meeting said the strikes were to be expected because wages had been frozen for two years to help companies ride out the economic crisis, Japan Foreign Ministry spokesman Satoru Sato said.
The Japanese also urged China to ease export controls on rare metals used in computers, hybrid electric cars and other high-tech products.
China would not stop exporting rare earth, but the tightened restrictions were necessary to address over-development and smuggling problems, Premier Wen said yesterday.
China's restrictions on rare earth industry will assist in protecting the environment, Commerce Minister Chen Deming said on Saturday.
"Mass-extraction of rare earth will cause great damage to the environment, that's why China has tightened controls over rare earth production, exploration and trade," he said.
The minister also said what China had done was consistent with the rules of the World Trade Organization.
Chen said the restriction policy would also have an adverse impact on the Chinese market, where parts for Japanese products were assembled.
He stressed that in order to protect the country's environment, China had no choice but to take such measures.
During the meeting, Chen also called on Japan to ease high technology export controls to China and simplify visa procedures for Chinese business people.
Vice Premier Wang Qishan, who led the Chinese delegation, said the economies of the two counties are interdependent and China has "huge market potential."
"The economies of both countries highly rely on each other. Economic and trade cooperation has been improved in a firm manner. Bilateral trade has recovered rapidly and has exceeded levels from before the financial crisis," Wang said.
The meeting was the third high-level economic dialogue between the two sides, following talks in June last year in Tokyo and a first round in December 2007 in Beijing.
Discussions on Saturday also included cooperation in high-end manufacturing, energy conservation, environmental protection, food safety and opposition to protectionism.
Wen's comment came after Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada called for "transparent policies" governing workers in China, saying the labor disputes that halted work at dozens of factories were troubling to Japanese companies.
Okada brought up the issue at a high-level economic meeting between China and Japan in Beijing on Saturday held to discuss ways to recover from the economic crisis and foster regional cooperation.
"Labor disputes are occurring at some foreign companies, where there is a problem of relatively low wages. We would like (Japan) to address this issue," Wen told Japanese officials, according to a news release by Japan's foreign ministry.
Okada said on Saturday the two sides discussed ensuring transparent policies during talks on how to improve the business environment in China.
"As to the recent frequent labor dispute issue, the Japanese side expressed willingness to further strengthen discussion," he told reporters.
The Chinese delegation at the meeting said the strikes were to be expected because wages had been frozen for two years to help companies ride out the economic crisis, Japan Foreign Ministry spokesman Satoru Sato said.
The Japanese also urged China to ease export controls on rare metals used in computers, hybrid electric cars and other high-tech products.
China would not stop exporting rare earth, but the tightened restrictions were necessary to address over-development and smuggling problems, Premier Wen said yesterday.
China's restrictions on rare earth industry will assist in protecting the environment, Commerce Minister Chen Deming said on Saturday.
"Mass-extraction of rare earth will cause great damage to the environment, that's why China has tightened controls over rare earth production, exploration and trade," he said.
The minister also said what China had done was consistent with the rules of the World Trade Organization.
Chen said the restriction policy would also have an adverse impact on the Chinese market, where parts for Japanese products were assembled.
He stressed that in order to protect the country's environment, China had no choice but to take such measures.
During the meeting, Chen also called on Japan to ease high technology export controls to China and simplify visa procedures for Chinese business people.
Vice Premier Wang Qishan, who led the Chinese delegation, said the economies of the two counties are interdependent and China has "huge market potential."
"The economies of both countries highly rely on each other. Economic and trade cooperation has been improved in a firm manner. Bilateral trade has recovered rapidly and has exceeded levels from before the financial crisis," Wang said.
The meeting was the third high-level economic dialogue between the two sides, following talks in June last year in Tokyo and a first round in December 2007 in Beijing.
Discussions on Saturday also included cooperation in high-end manufacturing, energy conservation, environmental protection, food safety and opposition to protectionism.
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