China urges for 'concessions' to revive Doha round

BEIJING: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday expressed concern over the stalled Doha Round of trade talks and urged developed nations to take the lead in offering "substantial concessions" in terms of agricultural tariffs and subsidies to kick-start fresh negotiations.

"The completion of the Doha Round talks is of importance to the establishment of a fair, just and open multilateral trade system," Wen said, adding that he expected the developed nations to "take the lead in making substantial concessions" in terms of cutting farm tariffs and subsidies.

"China supports the multilateral trade system and opposes trade protectionism," Wen said during a meeting with visiting director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Pascal Lamy.

Earlier, Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai had also urged the developed nations to offer more "substantial concessions" for the early resumption of the Doha Round talks.

"Early resumption of the stalled Doha Round talks would require developed nations to take the lead in making substantial concessions," Bo said during separate talks with Lamy.

"China would like to play a constructive role to this end," Bo was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

China has been taking an active part in the Doha Round talks and made its contribution to the enhancement of the multilateral trade system, Bo said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

He stressed that the Doha Round talks should not only seek progress on market access issues but also fully realise the development goals of all parties concerned.

Last week, US trade representative Susan Schwab also visited Beijing, urging China to contribute to the early resumption of the WTO talks.

Bo didn't make a direct response, only saying China is willing to work with all relevant parties concerned to rekindle the Doha Round negotiations as early as possible.

Meanwhile, the Chinese premier highlighted China's determination to continue with its opening-up policy and said China will work together with the rest of the world to seek common development.

Since China joined the WTO in December 2001, China has lowered its average tariff by a large margin and widely opened up the service trade to foreign countries, Wen said.

"China's entry into the WTO not only brings benefits to China, but also makes contribution to the development of world trade and economy," Wen added.

Lamy hoped China could play its positive and constructive role in rekindling the Doha Round talks and pushing forward the talks to reach an agreement.

"Only by addressing the imbalances between developed and developing countries can we secure the healthy and sustained development of global trade," he said.

The Doha Round was suspended in late July after six major members Australia, Brazil, the European Union, India, Japan and the United States failed to reach a consensus on tariffs and subsidies on agricultural and industrial trade.