| Statement by H. E. Amb. SUN Zhenyu of China at the Ninth Trade Policy Review of Japan |
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| Friday,February 20,2009 Posted: 16:32 BJT(0832 GMT) |
| From:wto Article type:Original |
18 February 2009
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, I wish to take this opportunity to welcome Amb. Yokota, leader of the Japanese delegation, as well as his colleagues, to the Ninth Trade Policy Review of Japan. This trade policy review is held at a crucial time when the global economic and financial crisis is still deepening. Therefore it is of particular importance. China appreciates the excellent work done by the WTO Secretariat and the Government of Japan in preparation for this meeting. We particularly note that the latest information concerning the effects of the on-going crisis is reflected in a detailed manner. The intervention just made by the discussant Amb. Gero is also of great value for our discussion. I am greatly impressed by his fluent Japanese expressions. China would like to thank all of them for their great efforts and contributions.
Mr. Chairman, China is very pleased to witness a further sound development of bilateral trade between China and Japan in 2007 and 2008. Trade volume in 2007 reached 236 billion dollars, representing a 14% growth compared with 2006. In 2008, in spite of the financial turbulence, bilateral trade preserved the trend of expansion by another 13%, reaching 267 billion dollars. However, as the negative effects of the crisis on real economy are increasingly felt, China is much concerned about whether the trend of sound development could be maintained in the coming year. Trade statistics available to China of the last two months of 2008 seems to indicate that the growth rates of both our export to and import from Japan are slowing down rapidly.
Nevertheless, our determination to further enhance bilateral economic and trade relationship remains unchanged. As two neighbouring major economies in the world, the closer economic inter-dependence between China and Japan has made it possible that the adverse effects of the crisis could be alleviated through enhanced policy dialogues, coordination and cooperation between our two countries. These efforts will be of much significance for Asia as well as for the whole world to stand up to the challenges of the economic turbulences.
Mr. Chairman, the Japanese economy is featured by its strong commitment to globalization and international cooperation. China appreciates the efforts made by the Japanese Government to further its regulatory reform, and its reiteration of support to the multilateral trading system and the Doha Development Agenda, even under the strike of the economic and financial crisis. In this relation, it deserves to mention that Amb. Kitajima and his colleagues in Geneva have been playing an important and active role in all areas of the Doha negotiations.
Mr. Chairman, as most Members have expressed at last week’s Informal TPR Meeting, while counter-crisis measures, such as bailouts and stimulus packages, are being designed and staged, Members shall also be highly vigilant to the revival of trade protectionism. Resorting to protective measures at a time of crisis will bring only isolation and suspicions to dilute the efforts of the international community and it will never help resolve the problem. In this regard, the Secretariat Report observed that “it would appear that Japan has not introduced new trade measures to protect its market since the onset of the global financial crisis in September 2008.” China appreciates the Japanese Government’s efforts at this critical juncture.
Mr. Chairman, developing countries have been struck most seriously in the current crisis. It is important for them to have sustained access to trade finance, Official Development Aid and Aid for Trade. The commitment of Japan as a major donor in this regard is most welcome.
Moreover, China hopes that the Japanese Government will make further efforts in the context of its ongoing regulatory reform to address some of the concerns by Members on its current trade regime, such as the complicated quota and TRQ administration systems and the high protection of its agriculture sector. We believe that steps forward on these aspects will provide Members with more market access opportunities which are of special importance in view of the current situation.
Mr. Chairman, China submitted a number of questions regarding specific trade policies and measures of Japan. We thank the Delegation of Japan for the responses already provided and look forward to answers to our other questions.
Finally, I wish the trade policy review of Japan a success.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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