On May 23, the Ministry of Commerce
pledged on its website to further improve its early-warning system
for imports that may harm domestic industries and distort local
markets.
It said it would make special plans in line with
the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), coordinate departments
involved to ensure effective cooperation and focus on early warning
systems for key local industries.
The announcement was in addition to a guideline
issued on April 25 that set a goal to monitor the country’s main
industries and economic zones and establish an early-warning system
on damage to local industries from imports by the end of 2006.
The early warning system was first discussed in
January 2003, and the recent amendment aims to conform to
Foreign Trade Law, which last year increased areas to be
covered by the system, and to solve problems in past practice.
Its goal is to collect, analyze and publish
accurate and timely information; respond rapidly and effectively;
and enable cooperation between government, industrial associations,
enterprises and intermediaries.
The guideline said the ministry would give priority
to the following products and services:
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Products and services that play an important role in local regions
or the domestic industry, but are easily influenced by imports;
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Products and services that have comparative advantages in a local
region or domestic industry and are significant for economic
development;
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Products and services that are small-scale, but concern the
interests of the nation and people, and are easily impacted on by
the international market;
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Products and services in budding industries highlighted by local
development.
Apart from public information, the ministry
suggested sample surveys or monitoring of key enterprises to gain
first-hand data. It also said that expert panels, comprising those
specialized in industry, trade, law and economic analysis, should
be set up to monitor developments.
The newly amended rule added service and technology
sectors to its monitoring list, and said a nationwide emergency
response system should be adopted.
To ensure efficiency, the guideline defined
responsibilities of the ministry, local authorities, industrial
associations, chambers of commerce, intermediaries and research
institutions.
(China.org.cn by Tang Fuchun, May 29, 2005)