Businessmen call on EU to treat China as a market economy

The Chinese business community has called on the European Union to eliminate trade barriers against mainland companies - and to fully recognize its international commitments under the World Trade Organization, a senior trade official said.

"In order to maintain the two parties' healthy economic and trade relations, we hope that the European Union will uphold WTO principles and recognize its international commitments," said Wang Jinzhen, vice-chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, at a seminar.

"The two parties can see growth in two-way trade and investment, as long as they further deepen cooperation and uphold the principle of free trade."