2016年CRI Chinese premier underscores trade, investment facilitation with EU

 

Addressing the meeting, Premier¹ Li Keqiang said China and Europe can offer more opportunities to each other against the backdrop of a sluggish² global economic recovery.

"We still need to dig up potentials for bilateral³ trade. China and the EU are at different phases of development but their economies are complimentary⁴. If we further open up our markets and create a favorable atmosphere for free trade, our trade ties will reach a new level."

Joined by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, the premier suggested in his keynote speech that the two sides implement⁵ the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation to better align⁶ their development strategies.

Premier Li said China does not use subsidies⁷ to give its industries a competitive edge, adding that the two sides should "properly deal with" trade disputes and oppose trade barriers.

"China definitely does not seek a trade surplus with the EU and is looking for more imports of middle to high-end consumer products and capital goods from the EU. We wish that the EU can reduce restrictions⁸ on Chinese exports and can exercise restraint on using trade remedies to help create a good environment for bilateral trade."

China has the ability to hit its targets in economic and social development this year, which will also bring more opportunities for European business.

He also encouraged European companies to invest more in China's advanced manufacturing, service industry, and the central and western parts of the country.

He also called on China and Europe to cooperate more in finance, innovation and infrastructure⁹ connections.

Regarding the steel overcapacity issue, Premier Li said only 10 percent of the steel produced in China is exported, and most of it doesn't go to the EU, and that China has imposed a 20 percent tax on steel exports.

He further notes that China is set to solve the problem of steel overcapacity with strong will and effective measures.

"China's will to solve the problem of steel overcapacity is resolute¹⁰ and the measures are effective. We will reduce another 100 to 150 million tons of steel production and 800 million tons of coal production in the next few years after having cut 100 million tons in the past three years."

For his part, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the EU was willing to enhance its partnership¹¹ with China and accelerate negotiations¹² on the EU-China investment treaty.

After the Summit, Premier Li and Juncker both witnessed the signing of 12 documents on a China-EU urbanization partnership.

For CRI, I'm Niu Honglin.

1 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

2 sluggish   

adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的

参考例句：

• This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
• Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。

3 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

4 complimentary   

adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的

参考例句：

• She made some highly complimentary remarks about their school.她对他们的学校给予高度的评价。
• The supermarket operates a complimentary shuttle service.这家超市提供免费购物班车。

5 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

6 align   

vt.使成一线，结盟，调节；vi.成一线，结盟

参考例句：

• Align the ruler and the middle of the paper.使尺子与纸张的中部成一条直线。
• There are signs that the prime minister is aligning himself with the liberals.有迹象表明首相正在与自由党人结盟。

7 subsidies   

n.补贴，津贴，补助金( subsidy的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• European agriculture ministers failed to break the deadlock over farm subsidies. 欧洲各国农业部长在农业补贴问题上未能打破僵局。
• Agricultural subsidies absorb about half the EU's income. 农业补贴占去了欧盟收入的大约一半。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

9 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

10 resolute   

adj.坚决的，果敢的

参考例句：

• He was resolute in carrying out his plan.他坚决地实行他的计划。
• The Egyptians offered resolute resistance to the aggressors.埃及人对侵略者作出坚决的反抗。

11 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

12 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。