A Chinese high-level finance official on Saturday called on the
Group of Eight (G8) industrial nations to play a more active role
in moving forward the Doha round of trade talks.
China's Vice Minister of Finance Li Yong and finance officials
from the rising economies of India, Brazil and South Africa
discussed global economic growth and trade with G8 finance
ministers at a G8 meeting in Moscow.
China believes efforts should be made to build on the
achievements of the World Trade Organization Ministerial Meeting
held in Hong Kong in December 2005, and move forward the Doha Round
of trade talks toward a comprehensive and balanced agreement, Li
said.
While providing aid for trade to developing countries, developed
countries should take the lead in reducing tariffs on agricultural
products and farm subsidies, enhancing market access, improving the
trade environment and implementing special and differentiated
policies for developing countries, Li said.
Other parties acknowledged the progress made at the Hong Kong
Ministerial Meeting in reducing farm export subsidies, the cotton
issue, the abolition of tariffs and quotas for the world's least
developed countries, and developed countries' commitments to
increase aid for trade to developing countries.
But differences remain including over such core issues as
agriculture and market access for non-agricultural products. And
participating countries in the trade talks were urged to show
greater political resolve in completing the Doha Round by the end
of 2006.
(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2006)