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Will ensure China-EU talks productive- Merkel
May 27, 2013, 9:48 am

[AP]

German exports to China amounted to $86 billion last year, according to official German data [AP]

Premier Li Keqiang in his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel has conveyed China’s firm stand against the EU’s recent proposals to open anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations against China.

“The abuse of trade remedy measures would only send a wrong signal of trade protectionism to the outside world and negatively affect the business, industries and jobs of both countries,” Premier Li said.

The European Union (EU) is China’s second biggest trading partner after the US.

Chancellor Merkel has asserted that Germany would use its position of power within the EU to ensure that the talks were productive.

“We should very intensely use the next six months, and Germany will do everything to ensure that the talks will really advance,” she was quoted by AP.

The premier met with Merkel in Berlin on Sunday.

A slew of looming trade disputes over telecoms, solar panels and steel tubes have cast a shadow over ties between China and the EU in recent times.

German exports to China amounted to $86 billion in 2012, according to official German data.

Noting both China and Germany are countries with global influence, Li said, “the significance of China-Germany ties goes quite beyond bilateral relations.”

The Chinese premier asserted that Germany could be a strategic partner even as China steps up efforts to realise industrialisation, informatisation, urbanisation and agricultural modernization to upgrade its economy.

“That will offer more opportunities for cooperation between the two countries,” said Li.

The China-Germany urbanisation partnership should look at building low-carbon eco-cities, China has urged.

Germany attracted 854 foreign investment projects in 2012 and 98 were from China, according to Germany Trade & Invest, the nation’s foreign trade and inward investment agency.

The Chinese premier also suggested launching the China-Germany council of economic advisers, a Chinese chamber of commerce and an investment promotion agency in Germany.

“Germany is the first EU country I visit since taking office as Chinese premier,” Li said. “That shows the new Chinese leadership highly values China’s relations with the EU.”

With inputs from Agencies