Wen vows equality for foreign firms
Source: Agencies/Shanghai Daily |
April 30, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
PREMIER Wen Jiabao yesterday promised foreign companies equal treatment with Chinese firms while calling on European leaders to recognize China as a market economy.
"We will endeavor to create a level playing field for all market players, foreign and Chinese enterprises alike," Wen said at a news conference with European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso after a meeting with his delegation in Beijing.
China is due to implement sweeping new regulations on standards, that some foreign technology firms and manufacturers say will raise the costs and risks of doing business in the country.
"I want to state that the Chinese government will unswervingly implement a policy of opening to the outside world," Wen said.
China would strive to give all businesses, Chinese and foreign, a "market environment of fair competition," he said.
"The policy of encouraging indigenous innovation treats all businesses in China the same. It will not exclude foreign companies."
Some foreign firms have expressed concern about China's indigenous innovation rules, which would provide an incentive to government bodies to purchase products developed, and not just made, in China.
Wen said China was "actively and conscientiously preparing" to join the World Trade Organization's agreement on government procurement.
The complex world of technical standards has become a flashpoint of trade friction between China and developed economies. Japanese, European and American firms say China could use the new rules to create standards different from the rest of the world, impeding trade and raising the costs of manufacturing and compliance.
Karel de Gucht, the EU trade chief, said this week the group had sent a letter asking for a delay and further talks on the Chinese Compulsory Certification, which are due to come into effect tomorrow.
De Gucht said Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming also brought up the issue of market economy status during their meetings.
Noting that the world economy still needed time to shake off the impact of the financial crisis, Wen reiterated calls against protectionism and for a greater role for developing countries in international financial institutions.
"Although the impact of the financial crisis is weakening and the global economy and trade are reviving, truly vanquishing this crisis will require countries to make constant efforts for some time yet," he said.
This effort included "opposing all forms of trade protectionism."
After the news conference, Wen and Barroso met two dozen managers of major European companies including Volkswagen, Nokia and French oil giant Total.
The premier was joined by China's finance, technology and industry ministers and the chairman of its planning agency.
The executives repeated companies' concerns about the rules due to take effect tomorrow that require suppliers to disclose how computer security technology works if they want to sell it to the government.
Some companies worry that trade secrets might be leaked to Chinese competitors, and the United States and Europe have called on Beijing to scrap the measure.
Wen said China wanted to work closely with foreign companies.
Responding to a comment by a Nokia manager about Web controls, he said the government "pursues an open approach with regard to development of the Internet."
"We will endeavor to create a level playing field for all market players, foreign and Chinese enterprises alike," Wen said at a news conference with European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso after a meeting with his delegation in Beijing.
China is due to implement sweeping new regulations on standards, that some foreign technology firms and manufacturers say will raise the costs and risks of doing business in the country.
"I want to state that the Chinese government will unswervingly implement a policy of opening to the outside world," Wen said.
China would strive to give all businesses, Chinese and foreign, a "market environment of fair competition," he said.
"The policy of encouraging indigenous innovation treats all businesses in China the same. It will not exclude foreign companies."
Some foreign firms have expressed concern about China's indigenous innovation rules, which would provide an incentive to government bodies to purchase products developed, and not just made, in China.
Wen said China was "actively and conscientiously preparing" to join the World Trade Organization's agreement on government procurement.
The complex world of technical standards has become a flashpoint of trade friction between China and developed economies. Japanese, European and American firms say China could use the new rules to create standards different from the rest of the world, impeding trade and raising the costs of manufacturing and compliance.
Karel de Gucht, the EU trade chief, said this week the group had sent a letter asking for a delay and further talks on the Chinese Compulsory Certification, which are due to come into effect tomorrow.
De Gucht said Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming also brought up the issue of market economy status during their meetings.
Noting that the world economy still needed time to shake off the impact of the financial crisis, Wen reiterated calls against protectionism and for a greater role for developing countries in international financial institutions.
"Although the impact of the financial crisis is weakening and the global economy and trade are reviving, truly vanquishing this crisis will require countries to make constant efforts for some time yet," he said.
This effort included "opposing all forms of trade protectionism."
After the news conference, Wen and Barroso met two dozen managers of major European companies including Volkswagen, Nokia and French oil giant Total.
The premier was joined by China's finance, technology and industry ministers and the chairman of its planning agency.
The executives repeated companies' concerns about the rules due to take effect tomorrow that require suppliers to disclose how computer security technology works if they want to sell it to the government.
Some companies worry that trade secrets might be leaked to Chinese competitors, and the United States and Europe have called on Beijing to scrap the measure.
Wen said China wanted to work closely with foreign companies.
Responding to a comment by a Nokia manager about Web controls, he said the government "pursues an open approach with regard to development of the Internet."
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