China publicly denies world’s biggest trader statusFebruary 19, 2013 - 12:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - China's government has taken the unusual step of publicly denying it passed the United States last year as the world's biggest trader, The Associated Press reports. Trade data from both governments indicate China passed the United States last year in total imports and exports by a margin of $3.866 trillion to $3.822 trillion, or about $44 billion. China's Commerce Ministry issued a statement Tuesday, Feb 19, denying that. It said China still lagged by $15.6 billion last year under World Trade Organization standards for valuing goods. That is equal to just 0.3 percent of China's total trade. Beijing wants to be seen as a global leader but says it is a developing country. Its communist leaders are wary of any status that might lead to demands for more efforts to stimulate the global economy or concessions in talks on trade, climate change or other contentious issues. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |