Chinese Official Opposes Protectionism

Chinese vice premier Wang Qishan told U.S. congressmen that the United States and China need to fight against protectionism in trade and foreign investment in order to help accelerate global economic recovery.

In a meeting with Reps. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., co-chairs of the U.S.-China Working Group in the U.S. House of Representatives, and other lawmakers, Wang said China and the United States should cooperate to solve the global financial crisis and other issues, including energy and climate change.

The talks took place on the eve of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue meetings scheduled for July 27 and 28. Wang said China's policy of opening its economy will not change because China needs to continue to import advanced technologies and expertise as well as high-caliber professionals that are needed for its modernization.

The U.S. lawmakers said the dialogue initiative is a key component in U.S.-China bilateral relations, and that they look forward to cooperating with China in promoting world economic recovery. Wang also met with Henry Paulson, former U.S. Treasury Secretary, and Yifu Lin, senior vice president and chief economist of the World Bank.

Contact Alan M. Field at afield@joc.com.