Commerce Minister defends trade record

Commerce Minister Bo Xilai said that China has "diligently implemented" its commitments since acceding to the World Trade Organization in 2001, according to the South China Morning Post. Speaking at the WTO summit in Hong Kong Wednesday, Bo's remarks were seen as a response to claims in a report released by the US Trade Representative office that China's economy had not fully met its obligations. Citing sharp tariff reductions and import increases since 2001, Bo asserted that China deserves to be recognized by other countries as both a developing nation and free-market economy.