On July 13th a representative from the Ministry of Commerce delivered a speech on the impact of Japan's "Positive List System" on the export of Chinese agricultural products.

He said that since Japan presented the "Positive List System" for agricultural chemical residue and food limits on May 29th, there had been a dramatic drop in the number of China's agricultural products exported to Japan. Statistics show that the export value of agricultural products to Japan in June was US$596 million, a drop of US$131 million or 18 percent from the same period last year. Exports of agricultural products have dropped by 1.2 percent, something that has rarely happened in the past several years. This is a great concern for China.

The spokesman pointed out the "Positive List System" refers to both issues of food security and trade justice, and concerns the fundamental interests of thousands of Chinese enterprises and millions of Chinese farmers. Authorities are very concerned about the issue, and have been attempting to negotiate an agreement with Japan. On May 29th, while on a visit to Japan, Bo Xilai, Chinese Minister of Commerce, talked with Jiro Kawasaki, Japan's Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, expressing China's concerns. He suggested that Japan took measures to guarantee normal trade between the two nations, and proposed Japan give special treatment to high quality Chinese agricultural exports, reduce checking items and time, and supply technological assistance. Japan is looking into the situation and has appointed someone to begin consultations on the matter.

A Working Meeting on the Sino-Japan Economic Partnership was convened in Beijing on Thursday. During the meeting China reiterated its concerns and asked Japan to initiate talks on this particular issue to reach a common consensus. China is in hopes that both sides will, in the interests of safeguarding food security and steadying normal trade, reach an agreement that will secure the steady and sound development of bilateral trade in agricultural products.

By People's Daily Online