For starters, this once again raises the issue of protectionism. As much as China (and quite a few other countries) complained during the US stimulus discussion, nearly every country plays the same game. Not that it stops them from accusing others of protectionism though. There is a time and a place for everything and it's not always wrong.
In this situation though, foreign companies are never given a chance so now is the time for China to step up and provide proper access. Good job by the EU for pushing this, but why do their conservatives also prefer an unfair, one-sided relationship with China?
The European Commission will formally table the "reciprocity mechanism" later this winter and Mr de Gucht insisted that the measure was necessary because companies in Europe were increasingly frustrated by obstacles to investment in China.
Beijing's policy of requiring its authorities to buy only Chinese goods and services has increasingly angered European businesses as investors from China make inroads into public procurement across Europe.
"The only way to react to that is that we say, 'Look, this cannot be done by a country, or a company from country where there is no reciprocity in this respect," said Mr de Gucht.
