China's assistant minister of commerce Guo Li has said China's
exporters are facing serious challenges as other countries impose
tougher import restrictions to protect their domestic markets.
Statistics show that China's agricultural products export volume
to Japan has reduced by US$2.3 billion since Japan raised
quarantine standards enforced by law. The European Union is still
imposing restrictions against China's animal-based goods. The USA
will begin a registration and declaration system on food imports
from this coming December. And Russia implemented a quota system on
meat imports this year.
In 2002 alone, 71 percent of export oriented companies in China
were affected by such trade barriers, with a total loss of US$17
billion. Chinese companies should face the trend and take active
measures to increase their own competitiveness and adjust
themselves to the tougher trade environment.
(cctv.com.cn August 17, 2003)