Li heads west on opening-up tour (3)

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Li heads west on opening-up tour (3)

By ZHAO YINAN and MO JINGXI (China Daily) 08:58, November 25, 2013

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"These countries are on a similar level of economic development like China, so our products are more welcome at their market than in Western Europe, where the quality standard is much higher," she said.

Besides, Xu said, the CEE countries, due to their strategically important locations, can serve as China's gateway to the Western market.

"For instance, even though Chinese products cannot enter a Western European country's market with a relatively low tariff, it would be possible for us to take a route from a CEE country, where we have set up a free trade agreement, and then sell those products to the Western European market in an indirect way," she said.

As for Central Asian countries, Xu said although bilateral trade at the moment is relatively low, cooperation in the energy, transportation and telecommunication sectors are highly likely.

"The current economic exchanges are limited by cultural differences. Products made in Turkey or other Islamic countries may enter their market easier."

Besides, although the regional economic exchanges between the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to those countries are rising, it is difficult to track the real trade statistics, since most of the deals were made without proper customs procedures.

"Energy resources remain the most advantageous edge for these countries to compete in the Chinese market, and the room for cooperation is large," she said.

To this end, the connectivity between China and central Asian countries are very important.

"Whether through pipelines, highways or railways, the regional economy will be more integrated and prosperous if the two areas are better connected to allow capital, products, personnel and technology to flow," Xu said.