Long Yongtu, secretary-general of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), criticized trade protectionism here Thursday, saying it just likes malicious foul in a football match. "It must be solved through serious presentation," Long said in an interview with Xinhua before the opening of the 2006 annual meeting of BFA.

Long compared trade frictions to common bumpings in a football match. "As it is natural and inevitable, we should solve it through negotiation. "However, trade protectionism is quite another thing. As China's trade volume grows, trade frictions happen more frequently, he said. At the same time, international trade protectionism also shows a hint of coming back. Ever since 2005, China has suffered from trade disputes in such fields as textile products, color television, shoes and vehicle parts. "If a nation adopts discriminatorily anti-dumping policies or policies violating WTO rules, that means it adopts trade protectionism." He said though the BFA cannot solve a specific trade friction, it can create a good atmosphere and help related sides to solve problems. "Why Doha must succeed?" has been especially selected as one of the topics during the annual meetings of the BFA from April 21 to 23, on which delegates are expected to discuss trade-related issues.

Aiming to slash subsidies, tariffs and other barriers to trade so as to help reduce poverty and spur economic growth in developing countries, Doha Round negotiations was launched by the WTO's fourth ministerial meeting held in the Qatari capital of Doha in 2001.

Long said if the negotiations succeed, the WTO will offer a fairer environment for global trade and trade frictions can be solved more easily.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2006)