China, EU partnership a stabilizing anchor for the multilateral trade system: Chinese diplomat

Relations between China and the European Union (EU) play a "stabilizing anchor role" in these highly uncertain international circumstances, Chinese Ambassador to France Zhan Jun wrote in an article published on Wednesday in the French newspaper Les Echos.   

The article, titled "China Does Not Want a Trade War," said that at a time when the United States is waving the banner of "America First" and resorting to protectionism, China and Europe have "together sent a positive signal of immense significance" by issuing a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to an open global economy.   

In the document, issued during the 20th China-EU Summit on July 16 in Beijing, the two sides also voiced strong support for a multilateral trade architecture centered around the World Trade Organization and based on common rules.   

"Unilateralism and protectionism go against the tide of history, and no one is unscathed from a trade war," he said, adding that the modern man has learnt the lesson from the chaotic history.   

It was this lesson that "drove him to build an international order based on key values such as multilateralism, respect for treaties, equal consultation and openness which have been the driving force behind world development and prosperity," the Chinese diplomat wrote.   

"Only by pursuing the path of trade liberalization and facilitation, pushing negotiations to reach an agreement on China-EU investment and working together to resolve market access difficulties can we restore confidence to all and consolidate the momentum for global recovery," he said.  

 "Only by adhering to the prevailing rules of the WTO, joining hands to carry out WTO reforms and building an open global economy can we avoid chaos and prevent the world from sinking into the abyss of anarchy."   

"Only by creating a synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the major European infrastructure and investment plans can we deliver the benefits of our partnership to the third parties and demonstrate by example that extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits are the only drivers of sustained global growth."

(APP)