Brussels, 14/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - China reiterated its support on Tuesday 14 February for resolution of the eurozone debt crisis, saying that it was ready to take part in the “search for a solution” though it gave no indication of how its contribution would be made or how much it would provide, for example to the European bailout funds (the EFSF and the ESM which will replace it in July).
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao made the statement in Beijing where he welcomed the presidents of the European Council and Commission, Herman Van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso, at the 14th EU-China summit. This was a summit dominated by the debt crisis and also by the issue of mutual access to markets and commercial relations, with China's recent opposition to the EU's extension of the carbon tax to airlines. The two parties also discussed China's being recognised as a market economy, a status Beijing wants to attain by 2016. Van Rompuy is reported by AFP as saying he would be happy if this matter could be resolved swiftly. The situation in Syria and the Iranian nuclear programme were also discussed.
Beijing has been saying for several months that it would be willing to participate in European rescue funds but without hitherto giving any figures. On Tuesday, Van Rompuy and Barroso set out the latest efforts put in place by the eurozone and welcomed China's positive attitude and commitment to helping stabilise the euro and the eurozone, Van Rompuy said - and this despite six eurozone countries having had their ratings downgraded by ratings agency Moody's on Monday 13 February.
At the post-summit press conference, Van Rompuy stressed the importance for China to have a stable partner, arguing that the two economies had become so inter-dependent that a change in the growth rate of one of the strategic partners has a direct impact on the other. In this context, it will be for China to take its own decisions on its involvement in stabilising the eurozone, Van Rompuy said. Barroso praised the efforts made by Europe which is doing what is needed to restore confidence.
The three men also discussed commercial relations between the China and EU, this latter being the biggest importer of Chinese goods in the world and China becoming the EU's major trading partner (over €560 billion in trade flows in 2011, Barroso pointed out). The European side raised the matter of opening the Chinese market to EU companies, with both Van Rompuy and Barroso calling for easier access for EU firms and for better protection of intellectual property, in particular as part of the EU-China agreement on investment which is currently under discussion. When asked about the EU carbon tax, Barroso restated the EU position, that it was hoping others would take the same measures and work towards the same ends, while it is still willing to accept a solution through the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
On Syria, China and Russia having vetoed a UN Security Council resolution, Van Rompuy welcomed the Arab League initiative which calls for a UN-backed peace-keeping force, and called on all countries on the Security Council to assume their responsibilities. Wen promised to use every possible diplomatic channel to avoid war and chaos and to reduce suffering, Reuters reports. He said he would strengthen communication with all parties in Syria and the international community, without protecting any community. (SP/transl.rt)