Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
in China's agriculture. However, the application of TBT and SPS measures
by mportng countres may have also contrbuted to the rapd declne n
Chna's revealed comparatve advantage n labour-ntensve anmal and
horticultural products. Because of China's low production costs, some
agrcultural products exported from Chna are very compettve n world
markets. Consequently, importing countries may look to restrict imports
from Chna by settng relatvely hgh SPS standards or may mpose strct
nspectons n order to protect domestc markets.
China itself should first increase and strengthen SPS domestic standards
to meet the nternatonal standards n order to ncrease ts exports of anmal
and horticultural products, especially to developed countries' markets. As
China is likely to face more and more SPS disputes, the government needs
to ntate blateral negotatons to counter unfar trade restrctons and
dscrmnaton and could use the WTO to coordnate and resolve trade
disputes. As a member of the WTO, China can now participate in the
negotaton and establshment of nternatonal regulatons and standards
to obtan a more equal poston for ts agrcultural exports.
Notes
1 In January 2006 China revised its GDP growth rate for the period of 1979-2004. The
revised growth rates for the three years 2002 to 2004 were 9.1 per cent, 10.0 per cent
and 10.1 per cent respectvely. The GDP growth rate n 2005 was 9.9 per cent.
2 All the trade values are at 2000 constant US$ prces.
3 China's average tariff level has been reduced to 9.9 per cent in 2005 as against 15.6
per cent in 2000. In 2005 the average tariff on industrial products was 9.3 per cent as
against 14.8 per cent in 2000; for agricultural products the change was from 23.2 per
cent in 2000 to 15.3 per cent.
4 Data for 2005 are preliminary statistics subject to final revision.
5 China's domestic grain prices increased sharply in the last quarter of 2003. From
September to December 2003, rice prices increased by 27 per cent, wheat prices by 37
per cent, and corn prices by 14 per cent.
6 Chna abolshed agrcultural taxes at the begnnng of 2006.
7 According to a Chinese customs official, a large amount of the imported fish was processed
for export, which contributed to the rapid increase in exports of processed fish and
aquatc products.
