Li reiterates opposition to EU trade measures

BERLIN - Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday slammed the European Union (EU) for pursuing anti-dumping cases against Chinese solar panels and mobile telecommunication equipment.

At a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Li said China firmly opposes the EU's plans to probe Chinese-made wireless telecom devices and impose punitive duties on Chinese-made solar panels.

"The moves send to the world a signal of trade protectionism," Li said. "They would not only hurt Chinese business and jobs, but also damage the interests of European industries, business and consumers."

"They harm others without benefiting themselves," Li said.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, backed a proposal this month to impose punitive tariffs averaging 47 percent on Chinese imports of solar panels to prevent alleged "dumping" in the European market. Also this month, it proposed opening anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations into mobile telecom equipment imported from China.

Li said China hopes to jointly uphold the principle of opposing trade protectionism with the EU, work with Brussels to find a solution to trade disputes through dialogue and consultation, and send to the world a signal of not abusing trade remedies and not creating a "lose-lose" situation.

Germany, the premier noted, is the only EU country included in his ongoing four-nation tour, showing that China-Germany relations are of great importance.