The Chinese government is to establish a new agency to give advice and assistance to overseas Chinese firms, the International Business Daily reported Thursday.

The agency under the Ministry of Commerce will provide free legal services to Chinese companies involved in trade disputes or encountering discriminatory treatment by foreign governments or intermediaries, said the Beijing-based newspaper.

Currently, overseas Chinese firms have to file complaints to the Ministry of Commerce by way of embassies, which costs time and is less efficient.

Vice-Minister Gao Hucheng, who is in charge of the center's establishment, told the newspaper that companies could contact officials by e-mail, telephone hotline or standard mail.

The center, upon completion, would provide legal consulting services and any necessary assistance in line with Chinese law and international practice, he said.

Chen Wusheng, director of the Zhejiang Tongling Science and Technology Group, voice the hope that the center would make concrete efforts to help private enterprises that were vulnerable to trade frictions.

Source: Xinhua