09-04-07

中國：美國、墨西哥向世貿投訴出於政治目的 (China: US, Mexican Complaint to WTO Politically Motivated)

中國表示，美國和墨西哥就中國對企業退稅向世界貿易組織提出申訴是基於國內政治需要。中國商務部星期二在其網站上說，對中國的指稱是基於對中國的“巨大誤解”。中國商務部表示，美國和墨西哥在試圖利用世貿組織的爭端解決機制促使中國改變稅收法律。

美國和墨西哥表示，中國向中國企業退稅以及免稅同時阻攔外國產品進口的做法違反了世界貿易組織的規則。世貿組織星期五成立了一個小組，調查有關投訴。

美國經常抱怨中國在減少數千億美元對美貿易順差方面沒有做出足夠努力。

China says domestic politics motivated the United States and Mexico when they filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization about Chinese tax breaks. China's Commerce Ministry said on its Web site Tuesday that the allegations were based on "huge misunderstandings." The ministry said Mexico and the U.S. are trying to use the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism to push for change in China's tax laws.

The U.S. and Mexico say China has violated WTO rules by giving tax breaks and exemptions to Chinese businesses, while discouraging imports of foreign products. The WTO set up a panel Friday to investigate the charges.

The United States frequently complains that China is not doing enough to reduce its multi-billion-dollar trade surplus with the U.S.

中國：明年以前豬肉價格將居高不下 (China: Pork Prices to Remain High Until Next Year)

一位中國官員說，消費者在未來18個月仍會看到豬肉價格居高不下，直到新的健康生豬供應進入市場。

中國國家發展和改革委員會副主任畢井泉星期二說，儘管政府已經鼓勵農戶多養豬，但是生豬長大到可以生仔和供市場消費需要時間。

自爆發可以令豬致命的藍耳病以來，豬肉供應減少。政府為了控制藍耳病疫情，宰殺了至少100萬頭豬。

昂貴的飼料價格也使得豬肉成本上漲。豬肉是中國人的一種主要肉食。肉價上漲也促使了中國的通貨膨脹率達到多年來的最高。

A Chinese official says consumers can expect high pork prices for the next 18 months, until fresh supplies of healthy pigs arrive at the market.

The vice minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, Bi Jingquan, said Tuesday that although the government has encouraged farmers to raise more pigs, it still takes time for the animals to grow large enough for breeding and for the market.

Pork supplies have dwindled since an outbreak of blue ear disease, a virus that can be deadly in pigs. The government has killed at least a million pigs in an effort to control the disease.

High grain prices also have helped to drive up the cost of pork, a staple in the Chinese diet. The prices have contributed to China's highest inflation rate in years.