China warns EU against probe into telecom equipment

NEW DELHI - The interests of both sides would be hurt if the European Union (EU) goes ahead with an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into mobile telecommunications equipment from China, said a senior Chinese official on Tuesday.

Telecom manufacturers of China and the EU have enormous interests in each other's markets and have broad cooperation, Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng told Xinhua.

Both the Chinese government and Brussels should create conditions for communication and cooperation between their companies, rather than set up obstacles, Gao said.

The Chinese telecom market is open to the world, including European companies, he added.

China has always sought consultations to solve disputes over mobile telecommunications equipment, and channels of consultations at various levels have remained open, he said.

In such circumstances, the European Commission's unilateral decision to open an investigation would make it harder for the two sides to find a solution, said Gao, who is accompanying Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on an official visit to India.

Last week, the European Commission took a decision in principle to open an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation concerning imports of mobile telecommunications networks and their essential elements from China. The EU's executive arm said the decision would not be activated for the time being to allow for negotiations with China.

Trade disputes are normal and the important thing is how to deal with them, said Gao.

China would not like to see an escalation of trade frictions with the EU, he added.