Top Biz News

China, EU close to resolve dispute

By Jiang Wei (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-07-12 08:37

Major US and EU automakers said the regulation hindered their access to China, one of the world's largest auto markets.

The two sides have previously held consultations on the issue, but the EU and the US have not brought the case before a WTO panel to kick off litigation, despite having the option according to WTO rules.

The auto parts issue was a side topic of Zourek's meeting with the Chinese officials, which covered the development of the whole industry.

"The development in China's car industry is unbelievable," Zourek said.

He said they discussed, at the working group-level, issues ranging from legislation in the car industry to reduction of emissions pollution in cars to the future design of cars, such as how to make them less energy-intensive and less prone to damage in accidents. They also talked about how to facilitate investment in China's car industry.

Zourek also met officials with China's Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine for the EU-China Regulatory Dialogue; the Ministry of Science and Technology in order to explore a means of establishing co-operation in space technologies; and the Ministry of Information Industry to discuss regulatory co-operation.

The director-general did not disclose the detail of the meetings, but called the talks "constructive" and "fruitful."

During his visit Zourek will also attend two seminars one on corporate social responsibility and the other on toys, in particular the EU legislation in relation to safety and environmental requirements on imported toys.

According to EU statistics, 80 per cent of toys imported into the EU come from China.