China's Minister of Commerce Lu Fuyuan and Trade Commissioner of the European Commission Pascal Lamy exchanged views on a wide range of issues relating to the new round of World Trade Organization (WTO) trade talks Wednesday night in this port city of northeast China.

Lu, also chairman of the fifth Economic Ministers Meeting of the ASEM (Asia- Europe Meeting), said China has been playing an active role in the new round because the outcome of "the Doha Round" will have a direct bearing on China's economic growth targets for the next 20 years and because China needs a favorable international economic and trade environment.

Lamy, who is heading the European Union (EU) delegation, briefed Lu on the EU's stance on a number of issues, in particular, on the reform of the EU's common agricultural policy (CAP). Lu responded with suggestions and China's positions on relevant issues.

The new round of WTO talks, launched in November 2001, has made very little progress, with talks on all major issues lagging behind schedule. These issues have become a hot topic as the next WTO ministerial meeting will be held in Cancun, Mexico in September.

Lu and Lamy also exchanged views on bilateral trade issues.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2003)