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Premier: China advocates multilateral trade system

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-16 09:45

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called for establishing a fair, open, reasonable multilateral trade system of non-discrimination in the world on Tuesday.

"We oppose protectionism in investment and trade," he said during a meeting with visiting British Finance Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, who is attending the first China-UK economic and financial dialogue.

Wen vowed to work with Britain and other countries to push the Doha round toward a comprehensive and balanced result.

He said the international community was facing increasing opportunities and challenges as economic globalization developed.

Both China and Britain were influential countries and should strengthen their dialogue based on mutual respect, equality, and reciprocity so as to expand common ground and overcome disputes, he added.

Wen hoped China and Britain would take the economic and financial dialogue as a platform to promote mutual understanding and cooperation.

Darling, visiting China as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's special representative, said Britain viewed relations with China from a long-term perspective.

He said Britain would like to promote dialogue with China on handling issues like economy, finance, and the environment.

He said protectionism on trade was wrong, adding that Britain supported recognizing China's complete market economy status and opposed measures boycotting Chinese commodities.

Darling arrived in Beijing on Monday afternoon. He met with Vice-Premier Wang Qishan early Tuesday.