China 'open' to boosting trade

AMBASSADOR RESPONDS TO SENATE QUESTIONS

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

>>China is welcoming more high-quality products from Thailand and other neighbouring countries into its vast market amid global uncertainty, says Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang.

China has a middle-income population of 500 million and a consumer market nearing $7 trillion, Mr Han said.

He was speaking in response to a question from the Thai Senate about whether China would expand market access to mitigate the impacts of a trade war set off by events in the United States.

The Chinese Embassy yesterday released the transcript of a speech delivered by Mr Han to the Senate on May 13 during a seminar titled "Geopolitics, the Global Economy, and China's Role: Opportunities and Challenges for Thailand".

During the event, he delivered a speech on the international and regional landscape and China-Thailand relations. He also took questions from senators.