金闲评
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Canada investment rules not aimed at China: minister
Tue Jan 8, 2008, Reuters Canada
Industry Minister Jim Prentice late last year announced new guidelines to review takeovers of Canadian companies by foreign state-owned investors, and many speculated the move was aimed primarily at China, which has accumulated massive reserves that it is anxious to invest around the globe.
Emerson said the issue had come up in his talks with his Chinese counterpart, Chen Deming.
"I communicated to him that Canada is anxious to have Chinese investments in Canada, including investments of the China Investment Corporation," Emerson said, referring to China's sovereign wealth fund.
"The guidelines that Minister Prentice would be using in reviewing corporate buyouts by state-owned enterprises are designed not to discourage acquisitions by state-owned enterprises, but to ensure that when those companies acquire Canadian companies that they have governance systems and transparency arrangements in place and that they are operating as an economic, commercial corporation not as a political arm," he said.
Emerson pressed Chinese officials to speed up the process of designating Canada as an approved destination for Chinese tourists, saying failure to do so appeared to be unfair discrimination.
"We really have got to the point where we really have to move it along in a meaningful way in a relatively short time frame or we will really have no choice but to explore the WTO option," he said.
Chinese tourists are allowed to travel to over 100 countries, including the United States. That puts Canada at a huge disadvantage for attracting tourism dollars and could do "economic damage," Emerson said.
Many believe that Canada's outspoken criticism of China's human rights record could have something to do with China's delays, but Emerson declined to speculate on the reasons.
"Sure we're hearing people express concern that there may be some atmospheric frictions out there that they're a little bit concerned about it but (the Chinese) are wanting to move on," he said.
(Reporting by Louise Egan; editing by Janet Guttsman) ¶ 2:05 PM 0 comments
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's new foreign investment guidelines, which contain tougher criteria for state-owned enterprises, do not target China's sovereign wealth fund, Trade Minister David Emerson said on Tuesday.
Emerson, speaking to reporters via teleconference from Beijing, also said Canada will consider taking action against China at the World Trade Organization if China does not approve Canada as a tourist destination soon.
Industry Minister Jim Prentice late last year announced new guidelines to review takeovers of Canadian companies by foreign state-owned investors, and many speculated the move was aimed primarily at China, which has accumulated massive reserves that it is anxious to invest around the globe.
Emerson said the issue had come up in his talks with his Chinese counterpart, Chen Deming.
"I communicated to him that Canada is anxious to have Chinese investments in Canada, including investments of the China Investment Corporation," Emerson said, referring to China's sovereign wealth fund.
"The guidelines that Minister Prentice would be using in reviewing corporate buyouts by state-owned enterprises are designed not to discourage acquisitions by state-owned enterprises, but to ensure that when those companies acquire Canadian companies that they have governance systems and transparency arrangements in place and that they are operating as an economic, commercial corporation not as a political arm," he said.
Emerson pressed Chinese officials to speed up the process of designating Canada as an approved destination for Chinese tourists, saying failure to do so appeared to be unfair discrimination.
"We really have got to the point where we really have to move it along in a meaningful way in a relatively short time frame or we will really have no choice but to explore the WTO option," he said.
Chinese tourists are allowed to travel to over 100 countries, including the United States. That puts Canada at a huge disadvantage for attracting tourism dollars and could do "economic damage," Emerson said.
Many believe that Canada's outspoken criticism of China's human rights record could have something to do with China's delays, but Emerson declined to speculate on the reasons.
"Sure we're hearing people express concern that there may be some atmospheric frictions out there that they're a little bit concerned about it but (the Chinese) are wanting to move on," he said.
(Reporting by Louise Egan; editing by Janet Guttsman) ¶ 2:05 PM 0 comments
Canada hopeful tourism deal with China possible but keeps WTO action in hand
The Canadian Press, 8 Jan, 2008
BEIJING - International Trade Minister David Emerson says he's hopeful negotiations for a tourism agreement with China can be re-started quickly, but Canada is prepared to take the issue before the World Trade Organization if that doesn't happen soon.
Speaking to reporters from Beijing, the trade minister blamed China for the lack of progress in talks which began three years ago.
In the meantime, China has negotiated an Approved Destination Status agreement with the United States - as it has with about 130 other countries - which Emerson says is placing Canadian tourism at a competitive disadvantage.
"We don't want to have to go to the WTO, but if we can't resolve it through negotiations we'll have to do that," he said in a conference call.
"Much of the tourism from China to the United States would normally include a portion of it to Canada, and not to have an Approved Destination Status for Canada really does become a discriminatory policy."
Approved destination status would allow the Canadian tourism industry to actively market in China while allowing Chinese travel agents to promote their travel packages in Canada. China agreed in 2005 to begin talks on the issue.
China's reluctance to offer Canada the same arrangement as most countries is believed to be based on Ottawa's refusal to deport refugee claimant Lai Changxing, who is wanted in China on smuggling charges.
Emerson said he has not been specifically told the reason for the impasse, adding he did not want to speculate.
The minister, however, said the two countries were much closer to signing a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement (FIPA), saying talks on a pact that would protect investments were "within striking distance." ¶ 2:00 PM 0 comments
BEIJING - International Trade Minister David Emerson says he's hopeful negotiations for a tourism agreement with China can be re-started quickly, but Canada is prepared to take the issue before the World Trade Organization if that doesn't happen soon.
Speaking to reporters from Beijing, the trade minister blamed China for the lack of progress in talks which began three years ago.
In the meantime, China has negotiated an Approved Destination Status agreement with the United States - as it has with about 130 other countries - which Emerson says is placing Canadian tourism at a competitive disadvantage.
"We don't want to have to go to the WTO, but if we can't resolve it through negotiations we'll have to do that," he said in a conference call.
"Much of the tourism from China to the United States would normally include a portion of it to Canada, and not to have an Approved Destination Status for Canada really does become a discriminatory policy."
Approved destination status would allow the Canadian tourism industry to actively market in China while allowing Chinese travel agents to promote their travel packages in Canada. China agreed in 2005 to begin talks on the issue.
China's reluctance to offer Canada the same arrangement as most countries is believed to be based on Ottawa's refusal to deport refugee claimant Lai Changxing, who is wanted in China on smuggling charges.
Emerson said he has not been specifically told the reason for the impasse, adding he did not want to speculate.
The minister, however, said the two countries were much closer to signing a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement (FIPA), saying talks on a pact that would protect investments were "within striking distance." ¶ 2:00 PM 0 comments
未得旅游“蛋糕”加拿大指中国歧视
BBC 2008年01月08日
 中国已成为加拿大第五大客源地 |
加拿大周二（8日）警告中国，如果不把她列为中国旅客旅游目的地国的话，就会诉诸世界贸易组织。
上个月，美国正式成为中国国公民组团出境旅游目的地国家。
目前正在北京访问的加拿大国际贸易部长艾民信指责中国官员"歧视"。
他说："已经进行了三年没有成果的谈判，如果不在短期内取得突破的话，我们可能会别无选择地诉诸世贸组织。"
艾民信拒绝猜测北京迟迟不把加拿大列为旅游目的国的原因。
有分析认为，这可能跟加拿大当局经常批评北京的人权纪录有关，而加拿大总理早期又高调会晤了达赖喇嘛。
错失商机
加拿大官方预计，一旦开放中国人到加拿大旅游，每年至少会有100万中国人前往加拿大，为加拿大带来至少20亿美元的旅游收入。
加拿大统计局公布的2007年10月数据显示，到加拿大旅游的外国人数不断减少。
人民网引述分析人士指出，这显然与加元对美元汇率一年来的持续升值有关。
加拿大旅游部门认为，鉴于目前加拿大的旅游业已处境困难，加拿大联邦政府需要开发其他的旅游市场，而中国应该是一个最有潜力的市场。
加拿大旅游部门的数据显示，中国游客目前在加拿大旅行时的人均消费约为3500加币（相当于约25620元人民币）。
旅游部表示，中国已成为继美国、英国、法国、德国之后，加拿大第五大客源地，预测在此基础上未来还将有20%的增长。
世界旅游组织预计，到2020年，中国将成为全球第四大旅游出境国，出境人数将超过1亿人次。
¶ 1:58 PM 0 comments
Canada Is `Anxious' to Have Investment From China, Emerson Says
Bloomberg, January 8, 2008
By Theophilos Argitis
Jan. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Canadian Trade Minister David Emerson said he's trying to assure officials in China that the country remains a welcome investor, after Canada last month placed new limits on takeovers by foreign state-run firms.
Emerson, 62, said he told Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming during a meeting today in Beijing that the rules target non-commercial investments meant to advance ``political'' motives. Canada would welcome investment from China Investment Corp., the nation's $200 billion sovereign wealth fund, Emerson said in a conference call with reporters.
``I communicated to him that Canada is anxious to have Chinese investments in Canada, including investments by the China Investment Corp.,'' said Emerson, who is on a five-day tour of China, Hong Kong and Mongolia to promote trade links.
Relations between Canada and China soured after Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative Party government was elected two years ago. Harper has criticized the Asian nation's human-rights record, and in December Canada outlined new foreign-investment rules that analysts say may limit investments in Canada by Chinese state-run firms and funds.
When Harper met with the Dalai Lama in October, China warned the move would have a ``grave'' impact on relations between the two countries. Also, China has been reluctant to give Canada so-called ``approved-destination status,'' which would allow Chinese and foreign travel agencies to promote and package group tours to Canada.
WTO Threat
Emerson warned the government may file a complaint with the World Trade Organization if China doesn't restart talks to ease the marketing restrictions.
``We have to move it along in a meaningful way in a relatively short time frame or we will really have no choice but to explore the WTO option,'' Emerson said.
Still, political disagreements between the two governments shouldn't undermine business ties, he said.
``Our general approach on these human rights and democracy issues is to operate on two tracks,'' Emerson said. ``We do not think that has to necessarily get in the way of carrying on trade and investment.''
An investment deal between the two countries is ``within striking distance,'' he said, adding that China's Chen also provided very ``encouraging signals'' on the travel dispute.
To contact the reporter on this story: Theophilos Argitis in Ottawa at targitis@bloomberg.net. ¶ 1:55 PM 0 comments
By Theophilos Argitis
Jan. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Canadian Trade Minister David Emerson said he's trying to assure officials in China that the country remains a welcome investor, after Canada last month placed new limits on takeovers by foreign state-run firms.
Emerson, 62, said he told Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming during a meeting today in Beijing that the rules target non-commercial investments meant to advance ``political'' motives. Canada would welcome investment from China Investment Corp., the nation's $200 billion sovereign wealth fund, Emerson said in a conference call with reporters.
``I communicated to him that Canada is anxious to have Chinese investments in Canada, including investments by the China Investment Corp.,'' said Emerson, who is on a five-day tour of China, Hong Kong and Mongolia to promote trade links.
Relations between Canada and China soured after Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative Party government was elected two years ago. Harper has criticized the Asian nation's human-rights record, and in December Canada outlined new foreign-investment rules that analysts say may limit investments in Canada by Chinese state-run firms and funds.
When Harper met with the Dalai Lama in October, China warned the move would have a ``grave'' impact on relations between the two countries. Also, China has been reluctant to give Canada so-called ``approved-destination status,'' which would allow Chinese and foreign travel agencies to promote and package group tours to Canada.
WTO Threat
Emerson warned the government may file a complaint with the World Trade Organization if China doesn't restart talks to ease the marketing restrictions.
``We have to move it along in a meaningful way in a relatively short time frame or we will really have no choice but to explore the WTO option,'' Emerson said.
Still, political disagreements between the two governments shouldn't undermine business ties, he said.
``Our general approach on these human rights and democracy issues is to operate on two tracks,'' Emerson said. ``We do not think that has to necessarily get in the way of carrying on trade and investment.''
An investment deal between the two countries is ``within striking distance,'' he said, adding that China's Chen also provided very ``encouraging signals'' on the travel dispute.
To contact the reporter on this story: Theophilos Argitis in Ottawa at targitis@bloomberg.net. ¶ 1:55 PM 0 comments
