Economist: China's imports decline not due to protectionism

By Ding Qi (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-07-04 16:28

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2009 Global Think Tank Summit
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The decline in China's imports has nothing to do with trade protectionism, but is a result of the country's falling exports due to shrinking overseas orders amid the global economic slowdown, a senior economist told the 2009 Global Think Tank Forum on Saturday.

"In the process of falling trade, the key player is the economic recession caused by the financial crisis," said Hai Wen, vice president of the prestigious Peking University.

"As many products are imported by export-oriented processing enterprises, the decline in imports is not due to protectionism, but rather has been caused by falling exports," he explained.

China's foreign trade volume shrank for the seventh month in a row in May, according to latest Customs statistics. Imports were down 25.2 percent year-on-year to $75.37 billion while exports fell 26.4 percent to $88.758 billion.

Chen Jian, a vice-commerce minister, Thursday told a news conference that China's exports fell again in June, but the decline was less severe than in May. The June figures are due to be released in the coming week.

Hai said it would take time to revive global trade and countries should work on the issue patiently while firmly opposing protectionism.

The first Global Think Tank Summit will be held in Beijing from July 2-4, where close to 100 top-notch think tanks from home and abroad will be represented, including the Brookings Institution.
Main Forum
International Financial and Economic Crisis and Global Economic Outlook
Sub-Forums
I:  Promoting Trade Liberalization and Investment Facilitation
II: Sustainable Development and Macro-economic Policies
III: Cooperation and Responsibilities of Multinationals during the Financial and Economic Crisis
IV: Global Consumption, Savings and Financial Security
V:  Idea Exchange with Global Think Tanks on Key Economic Issues
Agenda
Afternoon of July 2 - Opening Ceremony
July 3 - Main Forum
July 4 - Parallel Sub-Forums
 
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