Japan Considers New Framework for Economic Talks with China

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, December 19, 2001

Japan Considers New Framework for Economic Talks with China

Japanese Vice Economy Trade and Industry Minister Katsusada Hirose said on Monday Japan is considering proposing to China that the two countries create a new bilateral framework for economic talks regardless of how their pending trade row progresses. China and Japan are arranging minister-level talks in Tokyo. This week's talks will be the final chance for the two to find a breakthrough before Friday's deadline for Tokyo to decide whether to impose full 4-year import curbs on the farm products.

Bi-economic Relations Enters New Era

"We are discussing various mechanisms needed for the development of Japan-China economic relations, as they have entered a new era with China joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) and trade and investment expanding," the report quoted Japanese Vice Economy Trade and Industry Minister Katsusada Hirose as saying.

Hirose's remarks came as China and Japan are arranging minister-level talks for Tuesday and Wednesday in Tokyo in a bid to resolve their eight-month-old trade dispute stemming from Tokyo's emergency import curbs on three farm products, mostly from China.

"We will make every effort (to resolve the row through talks), including ministerial and lower-level meetings ... either in Tokyo or Beijing," Hirose said.

Final Chance for Breakthrough

This week's talks will be the final chance for the two countries to find a breakthrough in their dispute before Friday's deadline for Tokyo to decide whether to impose full four-year import curbs on the farm products. The two sides failed to reach an agreement at a ministerial meeting last Tuesday in Beijing.

The trade row flared up in April when Japan slapped 200-day "safeguard" import restrictions on stone leeks, shiitake mushrooms and rushes used in tatami mats, which come mostly from China.

In June, denouncing the Japanese measure as discriminatory, China responded by imposing 100 percent punitive tariffs on imports of Japanese motor vehicles, mobile phones and air conditioners.

Japan Slapped "Safeguard" Import Restrictions (April 23)

The Japanese government imposed temporary emergency import curbs on three farm products that come mainly from China on April 23.

This activity has constituted discriminative treatment to export goods from China and incurred serious damage on the export of products and relevant domestic industries of China.

China Imposes Punitive Tariffs on Japanese Goods (June 21)

The Chinese government announced that it will impose a 100 percent punitive tariffs on imports of Japanese made automobiles, mobile phones and air conditioners in response to Japan's discriminative treatment to some Chinese export products.

A total of 60 varieties of products originating from Japan were subject to a 100 percent tariff rate beginning June 22. This tariff will be imposed on cars, sports utility vehicles, buses and trucks.

China, Japan Begin Negotiations on Trade Disputes (July 3)

Chinese and Japanese officials began formal talks in Beijing on July 3 to try to resolve their trade disputes. However, the two sides failed to resolve their trade disputes after negotiators concluded their two-day talks. Both sides agreed to have more talks as early as possible.

Japan Threatens to Extend Import Curbs on Chinese Products (August 28)

Japan said on August 28 that it may extend its import curbs on three farm products that come mostly from China, signaling that a showdown over a trade dispute between the Asian neighbors might be imminent.

Japan, which triggered a trade row with the 200-day interim tariffs, is considering rolling them over for a maximum four years upon expiry in November.

China, Japan Re-open Talks on Trade Disputes

Chinese and Japanese delegates re-open the second round of talks in Beijing on November 1, 2001 to settle farm produce disputes between the two nations.

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