Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai held talks in Beijing on Wednesday with visiting European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.

 

Both Bo and Mandelson made positive comments on the present Sino-EU trade and economic relations. They agreed that China and EU have become mutually important trade partners and the two sides should push forward bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

 

Bo said that China is making greater efforts to protect intellectual property rights (IPR) and has taken measures to punish IPR violations more severely.

 

The EU should fully acknowledge China's new progress in IPR protection, said Bo, adding that his ministry is now establishing reporting centers on IPR violations nationwide.

 

Mandelson, who has come at the invitation of the Ministry of Commerce, praised China's efforts and said EU is willing to cooperate with China in this area.

 

Bo also told his guest that China is unhappy with EU's first ruling against Chinese shoemakers in the anti-dumping case. He urged EU to treat Chinese shoe companies "fairly and reasonably" in the final ruling.

 

Mandelson responded that EU would take China's requirement seriously and actively consider making efforts to help qualified Chinese companies gain market economy treatment in the final ruling.

 

The two officials also exchanged views on WTO negotiations, modification of the present economic cooperation agreement between EU and China, China's market economy status and China's policy on automobile parts import.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2006)