China Thursday avoided a direct official comment on the reported move by India to restrict import of Chinese telecom equipment for security reasons,
saying there is a bright future for Sino-India trade.
Trade experts, however, called for consultations between two countries to sort out differences.
Asked whether China was concerned over India imposing restrictions on import of Chinese telecom equipment, Foreign Office spokesperson Jiang Yu told reporters here that the two
countries are endeavouring to increase the bilateral trade to a record USD 60 billion this year.
The two sides will do their "due contribution" to reach the USD 60 billion mark, she said.
"This requires joint efforts. There is a bright future for bilateral trade ties. We hope the two governments can provide a sound investment environment for the enterprises."
Chinese experts, however, called for consultations between two countries on reported moves in India to stop importing Chinese telecom equipment apparently due to fears of inherent security risks involved in using it, especially in
the border areas.
Any move to sideline telecom companies in India for buying equipment from China would amount to violation of the World Trade Organisation norms and smacks of trade
protectionism, Chinese academics said and called for consultations between the two countries to find a way out.
Though the Indian government has not made any official announcement in this regard, it has stopped approvals of Chinese telecom gear imports, citing security concerns, Chinese Daily reported Thursday.
"The move is discriminatory and the explanation does not make any sense," said He Weiwen, an executive council member of the China Society for WTO Studies.
"India cannot reject Chinese imports citing security reasons. An import ban is warranted only if the Chinese imports are hurting Indian companies," he said.
The managing director of Allbright Law Firm Beijing, a law firm that specialises in trade remedy cases, Fu Donghui said that "it is pure trade protectionism and the Chinese side must seek consultations and a proper way out".
The newspaper report said Chinese government has already sent a delegation to India for discussions in this regard.
It said Indian officials clarified that the government did not carry out any ban, but all equipment providers need to pass through security checks.