European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson is scheduled to visit China from Monday for high-profile talks.

 

During his visit, the EU trade chief will meet his Chinese counterpart Bo Xilai on Tuesday, according to information from the European Commission's Delegation in Beijing.

 

The two trade chiefs are expected to discuss the launch of negotiations on a partnership framework and cooperation between the two economies.

 

They are also expected to discuss concerns over bilateral trade relations, such as the European Union's new policies on trade with China and economic relations with China, EU anti-dumping charges on imports of Chinese leather shoes, intellectual property rights issues and market access, said sources close to the Chinese commerce ministry.

 

Mandelson urged China to further open its market to foreign traders and investors when he announced the European Commission's new policy for relations with China at the end of last month.

 

In another development, a US delegation, headed by Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, will visit China between November 12 and 17 at Bo's invitation, a move to seek more business opportunities in China.

 

"This is an exceptionally high-powered mission and is a follow-up to the Chinese business delegation that Vice-Premier Wu Yi took to the United States in April," said US Ambassador to China Clark Randt.

 

The business delegation is comprised of 25 US firms representing a broad range of industries. Delegation members will meet key government officials, business leaders and potential business partners.

 

The mission will seek to help US firms expand their exports to China, with a focus on helping experienced US exporters to enter the Chinese market for the first time and assisting US companies already operating in China to increase their level of exports.

 

"Huge opportunities exist in China, but so do some major challenges," Gutierrez said before the visit. "This mission is designed to help US companies to identify the opportunities and address the challenges."

 

(China Daily November 6, 2006)