EU 'has obligation' to recognize MES

Beijing urged Brussels on Friday to honor its international obligation to treat China as a market economy, after the European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution of refusal.

European experts said the parliament's decision could result in the China-EU relationship becoming embroiled in a tit-for-tat scenario.

On Thursday, the European Parliament voted to refuse China market economy status, with many members saying that China has not met the five criteria for a market economy set by European institutions.