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No winners from US’ ‘small yard, high fence’ approach to China: economist

Yu Yongding, a former adviser to China’s central bank, comments on the US strategy that restricts Chinese access to key technologies

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Employees work on an electric vehicle production line at a factory under Jiangling Group Electric Vehicle in Nanchang, Jiangxi province. Photo: Reuters
Mandy Zuoin ShanghaiandFrank Chenin Shanghai

A prominent Chinese economist on Thursday bombarded Washington’s “small yard, high fence” investment restrictions, saying the strategy would only lead to a lose-lose situation as it makes China suffer, but does not benefit the United States.

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Yu Yongding, a former adviser to China’s central bank, echoed Beijing’s official stance concerning the strategy adopted by the US to restrict Chinese access to key technology, especially ones with military potential.

The strategy, which involves giving stringent protection to certain decisive sectors as economic relations are maintained, has also contributed to the destruction of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that advocates international cooperation and helps settle disputes, he added.

It also indicated rising concerns from Chinese academics and policymakers over Washington’s China policy, particularly ahead of November’s presidential election.

“The US can sue China under WTO rules if it feels China’s policies or practices are unfair, but the US has destroyed the WTO,” Yu, now a senior economist at the governmental Chinese Academy of Social Sciences think tank, told the Bund Summit in Shanghai.

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“China tries to comply with the WTO rules and its track record of compliance is good, and it also implements rulings even if it loses some WTO dispute cases,” added 76-year-old Yu, who is well-known for his calls for domestic economic stimulus and also the dumping of US Treasury bills.
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Yu Yongding
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