China 'faces Europe trade backlash'

The European Union’s trade chief warned today that China will face a backlash in Europe if it does not improve market access or better protect intellectual property rights.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said China’s growing economic might meant that it has greater responsibilities to “apply rather than circumvent the rules”.

“The more the Chinese door swings open and the world sees a responsible China playing by the rules, the more our citizens will be able to understand our shared interest in deepening our relationship,” Mandelson told students at Renmin University.

Mandelson said both the EU and China have to “commit to openness and resist protectionist pressures”.

European and American companies have complained about the volume of pirated goods in China, which they say have cost them billions of euro in lost revenue.

Despite repeated crackdowns by the Chinese government, counterfeit versions of movies, branded clothes and medicine are still readily available.

Mandelson said China, which joined the World Trade Organisation in 2001, needed to live up to its promises of full market access and protection for the rights of foreign companies.

“I am increasingly concerned that this will only be achieved if China shows greater urgency in playing her part,” he said.