BEIJING, June 8: European Union trade chief Peter Mandelson urged China on Thursday to assume a greater leadership role in the global economy, saying much more was needed to open up the Asian giant’s markets.
Mandelson, on a five-day trip to China, listed a litany of grievances in fields ranging from agricultural products to banking and the services sector, as he spoke to students at the People’s University in Beijing.
China’s World Trade Organization membership has been another significant step — provided the commitments are met. But more is needed, the trade commissioner said.
He said China, which entered the WTO in late 2001, was destined to play “a pivotal role” in the world economy for decades to come but that this status came with important duties as well as obligations.
Economic leadership also brings with it responsibilities — to respect and support open markets, to apply rather than circumvent the rules and, above all, to ensure that the benefits of open markets are shared by all, he said.
Issues raised by Mandelson included non-tariff barriers such as procedures for product certification and labeling approvals, as well as lengthy authorization periods.
He also mentioned health and safety barriers in agricultural trade.—Reuters
