China lifted its punitive tariffs on imports of cars, mobile phones and air conditioners from Japan starting December 27, according to the State Council, the country's cabinet.
The decision was made following a deal reached in Beijing on December 23, 2001 after brief talks between Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng and Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tsutomu Takebe.
The tit-for-tat began in April, when Japan slapped 200-day import restrictions on three farm imports -- spring onions, shiitake mushrooms and tatami rushes -- mostly from China.
China retaliated in June by imposing 100 per cent punitive tariffs on imports of Japanese motor vehicles, air conditioners and mobile phones, thereby pressuring Japan's exporters to battle Japan's farmers.
(China Daily December 28, 2001)
