China trade promotion official warns against protectionism

China trade promotion¹ official warns against protectionism

 BRUSSELS, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Trade protectionism bears new tendencies along with the global economic slowdown, Wang Jinzhen, Vice-Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, warned on Thursday.

Addressing the Global Chamber² Platform Conference in Brussels, Wang said the global economic slowdown and recession probably means rising protectionism.

He added that developed nations and regions were more prone³ to protectionism than developing and emerging economies.

Wang noted⁴ protectionism tends to move from products to companies, and that sanctions are often carried out with "no reason" or flimsy reasons.

He cited the U.S. sanction against Huawei, a Chinese telecom and internet equipment supplier, for allegedly "threatening U.S. national security."

"Huawei has business in many nations. Why does only the United States pose these kinds of accusations⁵, but not any other nation?" asked Wang.

Other delegates also called for promoting free trade and fighting against protectionism.

Christoph Leitl, Honorary President of Eurochambres and Chairman of Global Chamber Platform, called for realizing free trade and reestablishing confidence. His sentiments were echoed by Marc Vanheukelen, Head of Cabinet of EU Trade Commissioner⁶ Karel de Gucht.

Vanheukelen cited an example of the Nokia smartphone produced in China and sold in Europe. "Only 15 percent of added value come from China, but 54 percent comes from Europe," he said.

At the conference, a survey was presented showing that about 40 percent of respondents regarded rebalancing trade budgets as the top priority for global recovery. Access to finance/investment, general macroeconomic uncertainty⁷ and a decline in domestic demand and/or exports were also major challenges for local businesses.

The survey showed 38 percent believed making more use of dispute settlement procedures at the WTO was the best option, followed by better separating trade from non-trade issues.

The Global Chamber Platform Conference brings together major national and transnational chamber organizations globally with an aim of facilitating economic cooperation and promoting free trade initiatives.

1 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

2 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

3 prone   

adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的

参考例句：

• Some people are prone to jump to hasty conclusions.有些人往往作出轻率的结论。
• He is prone to lose his temper when people disagree with him.人家一不同意他的意见,他就发脾气。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

6 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

7 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。