European Union (EU) companies were invited Tuesday to take an active part in China's strategy to develop its west and its ongoing reform of state-owned enterprises.

Chinese Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng suggested that China and EU take advantage of the former's pending entry to WTO to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

The two sides could deepen all-round cooperation in trade, investment and technology on the basis of WTO rules, he said.

Shi called for EU to relax its control of trade with China, get rid of discriminatory anti-dumping practices against Chinese companies and recall quantity limitations on some Chinese exports to EU.

"China and EU should mutually open their markets and each create a friendly trade and investment environment for the other," he said.

Shi spoke at the 17th meeting of the China-EU mixed commission on trade and economic cooperation.

He promised that China will work hard to promote cooperation between small and medium-sized companies from the two sides.

EU trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy, co-host of the meeting with Shi, echoed the minister's call for the establishment of long-term, stable and healthy trade and economic cooperation relations.

He encouraged EU companies to carry out expansive trade and diversified technological exchanges with local firms.

(China Daily 10/25/2000)