China urges progress in investment protection pact with US
4/12/2008 16:15
China hopes to join with the United States to "actively promote"
negotiation for a bilateral investment protection accord, said Chinese Vice
Premier Wang Qishan in Beijing today.
Wang made the remarks when addressing
the opening morning of the fifth China-US strategic economic dialogue (SED). He
said strengthening bilateral investment protection would help establish a
fairer, more transparent and predictable environment for mutual
investment.
Wang said negotiation for the signing of a bilateral investment
protection agreement has made positive progress. He called on the two sides to
make concerted efforts to advance the negotiations based on the principles of
equality, cooperation and mutual benefit while taking into consideration the
situation of each country and balancing the major concerns of both
sides.
Mentioning current trade disputes between the nations, Wang noted a
fair and open international trade system is conducive to the healthy development
of the world economy.
"China is willing to work with the United States to
combat trade protectionism in any forms and support the resumption of the World
Trade Organization's (WTO) Doha round talks for comprehensive and balanced
outcomes", Wang said.
Initiated by the two presidents in 2006, the
twice-yearly SED is the highest-level among the existing China-US dialogue and
consultation mechanisms. This week the two-day meeting is being held in
Beijing.
Wang and the US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson are co-chairing the
current dialogue as special representatives of President Hu Jintao and President
George W. Bush.
Xinhua
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