Commissioner Pascal Lamy emphasized the importance of the European Chamber to Brussels recently, during a trip to Beijing.
The Position Papers have “become a key and rather prominent tool for the Commission”
he said in an address to members at the Sheraton Hotel.
He also met with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, the head of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr Lu Fuyuan and also Minister Li, the head of General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) delivering a positive message of support to China, backed by a 10 million-Euro package for China’s fight against SARS. But the focus of the discussion was China’s WTO commitments.
In his address, Mr Lamy made it clear that improvements had been made, such as the anticipated lifting of the ban on Dutch imports. Furthermore the yearly reduction in tariffs is the “most tangible economic benefit in terms of market access”. But there still exist certain discrepancies. He called for transparent licensing procedures in the automotive and fertiliser industries, and in particular, full consultation on draft legislation and a reduction in discrimination in the banking sector.
Nevertheless, Mr Lamy stated, “My overall view remains positive.” And he was hopeful that the upcoming WTO talks in Cancun would resolve many of the issues. Mr Lamy also said that Europe was approaching China, its fourth largest trading partner and top Foreign Direct Investment destination, in a “firm but fair” manner.
The Commissioner also held a closed doors meeting with Chairpersons of the Working Groups and Advisory Council members, during which he gained a real appreciation of the situation on the ground. In Beijing for only 24 hours, Mr Lamy’s allocation of more than an hour for private talks with them is a clear indication of the high regard he has for the views of the Chamber working groups. He praised the increased professionalism of the Chamber, acknowledged the role of the Corporate Sponsors, and commented that with the Business Managers now in situ, the Chamber is best placed to “increase awareness of the objectives of EU business in China”.
Indeed, in the words of Mr Lamy, the Chamber has become “our main business interlocutor on Chinese trade relations”.
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