China urges India to end trade ‘discrimination’, but holds off retaliation after deadly border clash
- China hopes India will stop targeting Chinese exports to ensure ‘healthy and stable’ trade ties, says commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng
- India this week banned Chinese mobile apps amid a wave of calls to boycott Chinese-made products and review investment
China on Thursday said it had not taken any economic retribution against India following a deadly border clash between the two countries, while signalling it had little intention of engaging in a tit-for-tat trade dispute with its neighbour.
Commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said Beijing hoped India would stop targeting Chinese exports to ensure “healthy and stable” trade ties between the two nations.
“China attaches importance to strengthening pragmatic cooperation with India in various fields, and hopes both sides will move toward each other,” Gao said at a weekly press briefing.
03:08
India bans dozens of Chinese apps, including TikTok and WeChat, after deadly border clash
China and India have agreed to de-escalate tensions following last month’s clash between troops in the Himalayas, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers. Beijing has not acknowledged any casualties.
On Wednesday, following complaints from Indian industry bodies, Indian customs began clearing shipments from China that had been stuck at ports.
Still, anti-China sentiment remains high in India.
[China] hopes that the Indian side will immediately correct the discriminatory practises against China and Chinese enterprises
Among the Chinese mobile apps banned by India over national security concerns were short video app TikTok and messaging app WeChat. China has protested the ban and says it may violate World Trade Organisation rules.
“[China] hopes that the Indian side will immediately correct the discriminatory practises against China and Chinese enterprises,” Gao said.
Chinese exports to India were worth US$74.83 billion in 2019, far exceeding China’s US$17.98 billion imports from India, customs data showed.
02:13
India and China attempt to de-escalate border tension after deaths
China’s top exports to India are mobile phones and handsets, while it imported mostly cotton yarn, iron ore and copper.
Beijing’s relatively soft approach to India marks a sharp contrast to its response to the United States after Washington imposed tariffs on Chinese products in 2018. China immediately hit back in a tit-for-tat manner, leading to an all-out trade war.
China has been eyeing India as a potential ally in international relations to counter the influence of US-led developed economies. China and India belong to the BRICS group, which also includes Russia, Brazil and South Africa.
