Top banker warns against rising trade protectionism (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-04-23 11:00
Governor of People's Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan on Saturday called on all
countries to take advantage the current favorable global economic growth to
address structural problems and be against the trade protectionism.
In a statement at the 13th meeting of the International Monetary and
Financial Committee (IMFC), the policy-making body of the IMF, Zhou said that,
against the backdrop of economic globalization in recent years, global
outsourcing and reorganization of the supply chain are developing with
increasing speed.
He said that, as comparative advantage are being readjusted, trade imbalances
are expanding, arousing protectionism sentiment and protectionism is on the
rise.
Zhou called on all countries to take advantage the current favorable
circumstances afforded by strong global economic growth and address structural
problems in a timely manner.
"In particular, the developed countries, while enjoying low-cost imported
goods and services, have to restructure their industrial sectors quickly to
create job opportunities and export advantages to improve their competitiveness
and dampen protectionism," Zhou said.
He also said oil prices continue to surge in the face of geopolitical
uncertainties and haphazard events and the impact of soaring oil prices on the
global economic growth outlook -- particularly on activities in the net
oil-importing countries -- might increase further.
He said that China hopes that all concerned parties will refrain from
destabilizing the oil supply.
"Net oil-exporting countries are encouraged to improve their investment
climate and gradually increase their production and processing capacities while
the oil-importing countries are urged to conserve energy, develop cleaner
substitutes and reduce their oil consumption," Zhou said. (For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates) |