China is not?competing for world resources through
overseas cooperation but is?merely trying to promote mutual
development, a Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) official?said
Tuesday.
Chen Jian, assistant minister of commerce, said concerns that
China is competing for world resources are incorrect, despite the
country's increasing investment in overseas resources.
"China's overseas cooperation in the resources sector is to
promote mutual development through market sharing," Chen said at a
press conference held by the State Council Information Office.
He said overseas cooperation in this area started with China's
helping Tanzania to exploit mineral resources such as coal and
copper in the 1950s and 60s.
Such cooperation helps partners with technology transfer, and
the development of potential resource supplies, Chen added.
Although China's rapid economic growth has resulted in an
increase in the consumption of resources, it will continue to rely
mainly on domestic supplies, Chen said.
Chen added that there was no reason to say China's rising energy
demands would arouse international conflict.
He added that, on the basis of equality and mutual benefits,
China will further cooperate with other countries to establish a
fair, new economic order, including one for energy cooperation.
When promoting overseas economic cooperation, China will keep
its preferential policies for foreign-funded enterprises unchanged
in a bid to attract foreign investment. Chen said this was in line
with international regulations.
"Preferential policies for foreign-invested enterprises do not
violate World Trade Organization rules,"?he said.
(China Daily July 13, 2005)