China yesterday urged the European Union to remove barriers in hi-tech exports to China to adjust the bilateral trade imbalance.
China has applied many measures to curb its own exports this year and hopes the EU will follow suit, said Wang Xinpei, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce.
Wang made the remark ahead of next week's annual Sino-EU summit, when top Chinese and EU leaders, including Premier Wen Jiabao and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, will meet in Beijing.
Trade imbalance and the value of the yuan are expected to top the summit agenda.
"We hope that through bilateral coordination, especially by removing unreasonable barriers to exports of hi-tech products, China's imports can be expanded," said Wang.
Products that currently cannot be exported freely from the EU include super-speed computers and ultra-precision machinery.
The EU is China's largest trading partner and the biggest export market. China's trade surplus with EU reached $91.7 billion last year. The figure has already jumped to $102.8 billion in the first 10 months this year.
The imbalance in China-EU trade is the result of globalization, according to Wang.
"Economic structures of China and the EU are complementary, and China has taken over some industries that may lead to a trade surplus as a result of international industry transfer."
Questions:
1.Wang Xinpei, is the spokesman for which Chinese Ministry?
2.What did Mr Wang ask the EU to remove yesterday?
3.For what reason did Mr Wang ask the EU to take such action?
Answers:
1.Ministry of Commerce.
2.Barriers in hi-tech exports to China.
3.To adjust the bilateral trade imbalance.
（英語點津 Celene 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Brendan is an Australian who has been involved in education and writing for over a decade. He has been published most recently for the Tiger Airways Inflight magazine, The Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times and Japan's Hiroshima Outside Magazine. He holds a Masters Degree in Community Development and Management and has resided in China for over 3 years.
