China, Japan should work together as anchor, propeller for free trade system: Chinese ambassador to Japan
OSAKA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan should jointly work as an "anchor" and a "propeller" for the world economy and the free trade system, and dedicate themselves to creating a free, open, inclusive and orderly international economic order hand in hand, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou has said.
Speaking exclusively with Xinhua ahead of the Group of 20 (G20) Osaka summit, Kong said that under the current circumstances, all parties involved should make joint efforts, respond positively to the appeals of the international community and strive for more positive outcomes of the summit, slated for June 28-29.
The ambassador urged G20 member states to stay true to their original aspiration and focus on steady economic growth, adding that at present, factors of instability and uncertainty in the world economy are on the rise, while downward pressure is mounting and market confidence remains low.
It is necessary for the Osaka summit to renew its original aspiration, carry forward the spirit of partnership, strengthen policy coordination, reduce the negative effects of policies of various countries, and promote steady growth of the world economy, he said.
The G20 also needs to remain problem-oriented and address the major issues, Kong said, pointing out that the U.S. government has become a major source of disruption to the global economy by engaging in unilateralism and protectionism, wielding the stick of tariffs against other countries and escalating trade frictions with China.
Therefore, Kong said, the Osaka summit should uphold and support multilateralism, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and play its due role in building and maintaining an open world economy.
The G20 should also continue to shoulder its historical responsibilities by focusing on development, Kong noted, adding that the Osaka summit should accommodate the concerns of developing countries on issues such as sustainable development, infrastructure and digital economy, and promote balanced and inclusive development of the world economy.
As important members of the G20, Kong noted, China and Japan are the world's second and third largest economies respectively, and are also important participants, defenders and beneficiaries of globalization and free trade.
The two countries are economically interdependent to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results, he said, pointing out that China is Japan's largest export market with the trade volume between the two countries exceeding 300 billion U.S. dollars, while Japan's total investment in China amounts to 120 billion dollars with 10-billion-dollar worth of commodities, which are manufactured in China by Japanese companies, being exported to the United States each year.
He said the escalation of U.S.-China economic and trade frictions initiated by Washington has seriously disrupted the industrial chain between China and Japan, as well as that between the two countries and other parts of the world, not only reducing Japanese exports to China, but also weakening the profitability of Japanese enterprises in China and worsening the external economic environment of Japan.
China and Japan should stand on the right side of history, be unafraid of pressure, and look far ahead, said Kong.
Kong said China is ready to support Japan in hosting the summit and work with Japan and other parties to make the summit a success and an effective multilateral platform for global economic governance.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and Japan has also entered the Era of Reiwa, said Kong, adding that the China-Japan relations stand at a new historical starting point.
China and Japan, said Kong, should work to enhance political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, consolidate people-to-people friendship, properly manage clear signals of differences, so as to guide the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations.
Pointing out that the current global economic governance is at a critical juncture, Kong said that China and Japan should jointly voice their opposition to unilateralism and protectionism, firmly support the rules-based multilateral trading system, actively lead the regional integration process and jointly build an open world economy.
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