Brussels, 23/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Union will not close its doors to Chinese competition if such competition is fair. It calls on Beijing to fully implement its commitments taken at the WTO to ensure reciprocal openness in bilateral trade and to avoid protectionist retaliation. “In Europe there is a growing perception that incomplete implementation of WTO obligations and new barriers to market access are preventing a genuinely reciprocal trading relationship between Europe and China” is the message contained in the Commission's new strategy for EU/China relations, a strategy that Commissioners Benita Ferrero-Waldner (external relations) and Peter Mandelson (trade) will be presenting in Strasbourg on Tuesday. This new strategy is not without significance as, although the EU is Beijing's most important partner making up 19% of China's external trade (Community exports towards the Chinese market also increased 69% between 2000 and 2005), China has become the main source of Community imports. In order for “the relationship to be politically and economically sustainable, China needs to demonstrate its commitment to open markets, fair competition and responsible leadership”, the Commission's press release stresses. In a joint point of view expressed to The Herald Tribune on Monday, Ms Ferrero-Waldner and Mr Mandelson call on Beijing to redouble their market reform efforts and their commitment to economic openness in order to avoid a “protectionist backlash”. “We will only be able to maintain the case for openness in Europe if China shares reciprocal openness and readiness to play by the rules of trade”, they write, going on to add: “If not, we could see in Europe the growing defensiveness and protectionism that is becoming evident in some quarters in the United States”. While defining the responsibilities of both parties with a view to the future partnership agreement and revision of the trade and investment agreements, the Commission stresses in its strategy the importance of greater legal protection for the foreign investor in China, reform of the Chinese banking system and State aid to business and industry, as well as greater protection for intellectual property rights and greater access to the Chinese market, especially to public procurement markets. (eh)