China urges EU to resolve disputes through dialogue amid potential restrictive measures

Beijing, Sept 29 (KUNA) -- China called on the European Union on Tuesday to manage differences through dialogue, in response to potential “discriminatory restrictive” measures the EU might impose against Chinese companies and products. This was stated in a statement released by China’s Ministry of Commerce, commenting on news reports that EU member states are preparing a joint document urging the European Commission to accelerate the development of a European tool similar to the U.S. Section 301, to take tougher actions against China.

The statement, carried by the Xinhua News Agency, said the proposed tool represents “a model of protectionist and unilateral measures that does not help resolve problems but will have adverse effects on the European bloc, disrupting stability in trade between the two sides and in global industrial and supply chains.”

It emphasized that China and the EU continue to hold dialogues under the framework of the Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism to explore ways to address each side’s concerns. If the European side escalates its measures and shows further toughening while consultations with Beijing are underway, it would undermine mutual trust, hinder the consultation process, and negatively affect overall economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.

The statement urged the EU to resolve differences through dialogue, pledging to closely monitor subsequent European moves and take a “resolute response” to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industrial sectors if the EU insists on imposing discriminatory restrictive measures against Chinese companies or products. (End) S.L.Q. / M.A.A.