By Cliff Sosnow, Robert Kwauk and Elysia Van Zeyl由悬崖sosnow ，罗伯特kwauk和elysia车zeyl

As China’s role on the international stage grows, its trade practices have attracted increased scrutiny from the international community. 至于中国的作用，在国际舞台上日趋密切，它的贸易做法，吸引了越来越严格的检查，由国际社会。

In recent years, a number of complaints have been made to the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning the Government of China’s involvement in the marketplace and, in particular, the wide range of alleged subsidies — most of which are indirect — offered to domestic producers and exporters by the Government of China.近年来，一些投诉已取得了向世界贸易组织（ WTO ）关于政府对中国的介入，在市场上，尤其是各种各样的指称补贴-其中大部分是间接的-优惠国内生产商和出口商，由中国政府。 Recently, these complaints have crystallized into the establishment of a WTO panel at the request of the United States and Mexico to examine the existence and impact of subsidies that are alleged to have unfairly boosted Chinese exports and skewed Chinese buying decisions to favour Chinese-made products.最近，这些投诉都凝结成建立一个世贸组织小组在美国的请求和墨西哥审查的存在和影响的补贴被指控有不公平地增强了中国的出口和歪斜的中文购买决定，以有利于中国制造的产品。

Canadian businesses in the Chinese marketplace will want to follow these developments closely as the conditions of competition in Canada, in China and in other economies worldwide will be affected by the outcome of this proceeding.加拿大企业在中国市场上，将要遵循这些密切关注事态发展，因为竞争条件在加拿大，在中国和其他世界各国经济将会受到影响的结果，这个案件。 More importantly, Canadian companies producing or purchasing from China should also stay on top of the issues and developments.更重要的是，加拿大的公司生产或采购，由中国也应该留在顶端的问题和发展。 The Chinese government is viewing this complaint very seriously as it is anticipated that a decision in this case will provide clarification on the acceptable parameters of Chinese government funding.中国政府正在看这方面的投诉十分重视，因为这是预料决定，在这种情况下，将提供澄清，是可接受的参数，中国政府的资助。

Concerns Abound Regarding China’s Adherence to WTO Obligations 关注的比比皆是，对于中国的加入世界贸易组织的义务
The benefits of WTO membership are coupled with obligations to the international trading community.好处世贸组织成员再加上义务，使之符合国际贸易界。 All WTO countries have agreed to abide by international agreements that establish ground rules for trade.世贸组织的所有国家都同意遵守国际协议，建立地面贸易规则。 Under these agreements, all WTO countries must provide non-discriminatory treatment, eliminate dual-pricing practices and ensure that price controls are not used to safeguard domestic industries.根据这些协议，世贸组织的所有国家都必须提供无歧视待遇，消除双重定价惯例，并确保价格管制是没有用，以保障国内产业。 As the strength of China’s economy becomes apparent, other WTO members are questioning whether China is living up to its WTO promises.随着实力的中国经济变得很明显了，其他世贸成员的质疑中国是否是生活至其入世承诺。

Overview of Subsidies Provided by the Chinese Government 总观所提供的资助，中国政府
The subsidies offered by the Chinese government that are at the heart of this dispute are the subject of controversy because they are believed to encourage Chinese exports and favour the use of Chinese over imported goods.补贴所提供的，中国政府是处于核心地位的这一争端是争论的主题，因为他们相信，以鼓励中国的出口和赞成使用中文输入的货物。 Chinese enterprises with some foreign investment are offered refunds, reductions or exemptions from taxes or other payments due to the Chinese government.中国企业与一些外国投资提供的退款，减少或免除税收或其他应收款项给中国政府。

Chinese subsidy programs have been characterized as “horizontal”, meaning that they are applied to a wide range of manufacturing sectors.中文资助计划已经被定性为"横" ，这意味着它们是适用于范围广泛的制造业。 These subsidies are alleged to influence the conditions of competition between goods and provide Chinese businesses with an advantage over their international competitors.这些补贴被指控的影响，竞争条件之间的货物，并提供中国企业的优势超过他们的国际竞争对手。 Canadian companies have expressed concerns about their ability to compete with subsidized goods.加拿大的公司表示关注，他们的竞争能力，与受资助的货物。

The US and Mexico argue that Chinese subsidies, although granted domestically, have a wide-ranging impact on markets across the globe.美国和墨西哥之间争辩说，中国补贴，虽然获准在国内，有广泛的影响，市场遍布全球。 They say that the subsidies that increase the capacity of Chinese producers to export, enable them to offer lower prices and thereby gain a greater market share in foreign economies.他们说，补贴增加载客量，中国的生产者向出口，使他们能够提供更低的价格，从而获得更大的市场份额，在外国的经济体系。 They allege that, at the same time, subsidies provide a protectionist barrier to entry into the Chinese market, hindering the ability of foreign exporters to compete in that particular market.他们声称，在同一时间内，提供补贴的保护主义壁垒进入中国市场，不利于能力的外国出口商在争夺这一特定市场。 They say that the end result of these measures is that the goods produced by China are positioned advantageously in comparison to foreign goods, rendering competition between the Chinese and the imported goods inequitable.他们说，最终的结果，这些措施是，所生产商品的中国所处的有利相较于外国货，使竞争关系的发展和进口商品的公平之处。

China has expressly rejected the allegations that it provides subsidies contrary to its international obligations.中国已明确表示拒绝接受这些指控，它提供的补贴违反了其国际义务。 At an October 25 meeting of the WTO’s subsidies committee, China stated that it has endeavoured to comply with its 2001 WTO accession commitments.在10月25日举行的世界贸易组织的资助委员会，中国表示，它已在努力遵守其在2001年加入世界贸易组织的承诺。 It contended that the success of its industries were not a result of subsidies; instead, these successes resulted from the country’s comparative advantage in production costs.它认为，其成功的产业，不因补贴;反之，这些成绩的取得，是由于该国的比较优势，在生产成本。

Dispute Settlement at the WTO 争端解决在世界贸易组织
When a WTO member provides subsidies that, in the view of another WTO member, are contrary to international obligations, recourse is made to the WTO’s dispute settlement system.当一个世贸组织成员提供了补贴，在这期的另一WTO成员，是违背国际义务，追索权是向世贸组织的争端解决制度。 First, a complaining WTO member engages in consultations with the allegedly non-compliant member.首先，抱怨世界贸易组织成员国进行磋商，据称不符合要求的会员。 If the issue is not resolved through these initial consultations, the complainant can ask the dispute settlement body (DSB) to establish a panel.这个问题如果不解决，透过这些初步协商，投诉人可以要求争端解决机构（争端解决机构） ，成立一个小组。 The panel, which consists of three to five experts chosen in consultation with the parties to the dispute, examines the complaint.小组，其组成4时57分专家选择了与有关各方的磋商，以这次的劳资纠纷，审查该项投诉。 Within roughly six months’ time (or sometimes longer depending on the complexity of the legal issues), the panel will produce a report containing its findings and recommendations.在大约6个月时间（或有时更长，视乎有关法律问题十分复杂） ，该小组将提交一份报告，其中载有其调查结果和建议。 Any party to the dispute can appeal the panel’s decision to the WTO Appellate Body.争端的任何一方可以提出上诉小组的决定向世界贸易组织上诉机构。 The DSB adopts the panel’s report within 60 days after it is issued, or in the case of an appeal, the DSB adopts the Appellate Body’s report within 30 days of its issuance.争端解决机构采纳专家小组的报告后60天内，它发出后，或在案件上诉时，争端解决机构通过了上诉机构的报告后30天内，其发行。 Thirty days after the adoption of the panel or Appellate Body’s report, the offending party must inform the DSB of its intentions to implement the recommendations.三十天后，通过该小组或上诉机构的报告，得罪党要通知争端解决机构，其意图以落实这些建议。 If it is impracticable to comply immediately, the member must comply within a “reasonable period of time”.如果是不可行立刻遵行，会员必须遵守的一个"合理的时间内" 。

WTO Panel to Examine Chinese Subsidy Programs 世贸组织专家小组审查中国补贴
On February 2, 2007, the US requested consultations with China concerning certain subsidies provided by the Government of China.于2007年2月2日，美国要求同中国磋商有关某些补贴，由政府提供的中国。 In the view of the US, China’s subsidies are inconsistent with Article 3 of the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures Agreement (SCM) in that they provide refunds, reductions or exemptions from taxes and other payments owed to the government by enterprises in China on the condition that those enterprises purchase domestic over imported goods or on the condition that those enterprises meet certain export performance criteria.在针对美国的，中国的补贴，不符合第3条规定的补贴与反补贴措施协定（供应链管理） ，因为它们提供退款，减少或免除税收和其他支付欠款，以政府，企业，在中国就条件是这些企业购买国内对进口货物或对条件是这些企业达到一定出口业绩标准。 The US also claims that China’s favourable treatment of domestic goods contravenes Article III:4 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and Article 2 of the Trade-Related Investment Measures Agreement (TRIMs).美国还声称，中国的优惠的待遇，国内货物违反第三条： 4总协定的关税和贸易（关贸总协定）条和第2条，与贸易有关的投资措施协议（修剪） 。 Furthermore, the US alleges that China’s actions are not in compliance with Part I of its Accession Protocol, which forms part of the terms of accession between China and the WTO and is an integral part of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization.此外，美国声称中国的行为是不符合第一部分的加入议定书，该议定书的组成部分条款的加入，中国与世界贸易组织，是一个不可分割的一部分马拉喀什协定成立世界贸易组织。 The US government asserts that the measures implemented by the Government of China nullify or impair the benefits that are supposed to accrue to other WTO countries under the agreements mentioned above.美国政府声称，该措施的实施，由中国政府取消或损及利益，是为了累积到世贸组织其他国家的协议之下如上所述。

A number of countries joined in the consultations with China, including Canada, the European Communities, Australia, Japan and Mexico.一些国家的加入，在与中国的磋商，其中包括加拿大，欧洲共同体，澳洲，日本和墨西哥。 Following certain amendments by China to its income tax legislation, supplementary consultations were requested; however, these were unable to successfully resolve the disputed issues.以下若干修订，由中国，以它的入息税的立法，补充了磋商请求，但这些都是无法圆满地解决有争议的问题。

On August 31, 2007, at the request of the US and Mexico, the WTO set up a panel to examine China’s subsidy programs.于2007年8月31日的请求，于美国和墨西哥，世界贸易组织成立一个专门小组，审查中国补贴的谈判。 The Government of Canada, as a third party in the proceeding, has the right to be heard by the panel and make written submissions.加拿大政府称，作为第三人参加诉讼，在诉讼的，有权进行聆讯小组，并提出书面意见。

China’s Obligations Under the Accession Agreement 中国的义务，根据加入协议
At the heart of this WTO dispute is the question of whether China is violating the obligations it signed onto when it joined the WTO in December 2001.处在这WTO争端的问题是，中国是否违反义务的，它上签名时，它加入世界贸易组织于2001年12月。 Under the Protocol of Accession of the People’s Republic of China, China officially became a member of the WTO.根据这项议定书的加入的人民共和国的中国，中国正式成为世界贸易组织的成员。 As a member of the WTO, China adopted and agreed to implement the WTO’s multilateral trade agreements, including the SCM, GATT, and TRIMs.作为世界贸易组织的成员，中国通过并同意执行世贸组织的多边贸易协定，其中包括供应链管理，关贸总协定，并修剪。 The panel will investigate China’s compliance with the Accession Agreement by determining whether it has upheld its part of the bargain in implementing these agreements under domestic law.该小组将调查中国是否遵守加入世贸组织的协议，确定它是否已坚持其交易的一部分，在落实这些协议，根据国内法。

Obligations Under Article III:4 of the GATT 义务第三条： 4关贸总协定
When China joined the WTO in 2001, it agreed to comply with the GATT, including provisions requiring countries to maintain a level playing field for domestic and imported goods.当中国加入世界贸易组织，在2001年，它同意遵守关贸总协定的条款，包括要求国家为维护一个公平的竞争环境，为国产和进口货物。

Article III:4 of the GATT specifies that contracting countries must provide national treatment.第三条： 4关贸总协定载明承包国家必须提供国民待遇。 Essentially, this means that imported goods must be treated no less favourably than domestically-produced goods in respect of all laws, regulations and requirements affecting their internal sale, offering for sale, purchase, transportation, distribution or use.从本质上讲，这也就是说，进口货品必须处理，没有逊色于比在国内生产的货物方面的所有法律，法规和规章的规定，影响其内部销售，许诺销售，购买，运输，分销或使用。 The US and Mexico argue that the provision of subsidies by the Government of China afford favourable treatment to Chinese industries to the detriment of foreign competitors.美国和墨西哥之间争辩说，提供补贴的，由中国政府提供优惠的待遇，以使中国的产业，从而损害外国竞争者。

Obligations Under the TRIMs Agreement 义务的投资措施协议
The TRIMs Agreement recognizes that certain investment measures restrict and distort trade.投资措施协议认识到某些投资措施限制和扭曲贸易。 As a result, the agreement stipulates that no contracting party shall apply any TRIM that is inconsistent with Articles III (national treatment) and Article XI (prohibition of quantitative restrictions) of the GATT.因此，该协议规定，任何缔约方应适用于任何修剪，即不符合第三条（国民待遇）和第11条（禁止数量限制）的关贸总协定。 Appended to the agreement is a list of prohibited measures.附在该协议，是一个名单，禁止的措施。 Measures that require enterprises to procure a certain percentage of goods locally (“local content requirements”) and measures that restrict the volume or value of imports that an enterprise can purchase or use to an amount related to the level of products it exports (“trade balancing requirements”) are expressly prohibited.措施要求企业购买一定比例的商品在本地（下称"当地含量要求" ）和措施，限制数量或进口货值则表示，一个企业可以购买或使用到的金额与该级别的产品，它的出口（ "贸易平衡要求" ）是明文禁止的。 The agreement calls for the elimination of these measures.该协议要求，为消除这些措施。 The US and Mexico argue that certain Chinese taxes, refunds and other payments that stimulate Chinese exports and cause buyers to choose Chinese products violate the TRIMs Agreement.美国和墨西哥之间争辩说，中国一些税，退款和其他款项，刺激中国出口造成的买家都会选择中国产品违反TRIMs协议。

Obligations Under the SCM Agreement 下的义务SCM协议
The SCM Agreement places certain restrictions on the ability of WTO members to provide subsidies that give an unfair trade advantage to certain corporations or industries within its borders.该SCM协议的地方一定的限制，对有能力的世贸组织各成员方提供补贴，让不公平的贸易优势，以某公司或行业在其边界内。 The SCM Agreement addresses subsidies that are available only to an enterprise or industry, or group of enterprises or industries within the jurisdiction of the authority granting the subsidy.该SCM协议地址补贴只限一个企业或产业，或一组企业或行业内部管辖的事务管理局给予补贴。 Subsidies fall into one of two categories under the SCM; a specific subsidy is either actionable or prohibited.补贴分为两类之一，根据供应链管理;特定补贴是不是可诉或禁用。

Actionable subsidies are subsidies that have an adverse effect on another WTO member.可诉补贴是补贴有不良影响的WTO成员。 Subsidies that cause “serious prejudice” to the interests of another WTO member by causing them to lose market share in a third country market are one example of actionable subsidies.补贴造成"严重损害" ，以利益另一WTO成员所导致他们失去的市场份额，在第三国市场上的一个例子诉补贴。

WTO members are prohibited from offering subsidies contingent on export performance.世贸组织成员被禁止提供补贴队伍在出口表现。 They are also prohibited from offering subsidies that are dependent on the use of domestic over imported goods.他们也被禁止提供的补贴，是依赖于利用国内外两个以上的进口货物。 If a subsidy is prohibited, the WTO requires that it be discontinued.如果补贴是被禁止的， WTO要求它停止。

The US and Mexico, in their complaints to the WTO, allege that China provides a number of industry-specific prohibited and actionable subsidies that are inconsistent with China’s international obligations.美国和墨西哥之间，在其投诉到世界贸易组织，指控中国提供了大量的特定行业禁止和可诉补贴是不符合中国的国际义务。 Among these are subsidies that provide tax incentives to enterprises that purchase domestic rather than imported equipment for use in their operations and subsidies that provide tax credits to enterprises based on their level of foreign investment and expansion into foreign markets.这其中既有补贴，提供税收优惠的企业，购买住宅，而不是进口的设备，供其运作和补贴，提供税收抵免企业根据自己的水平，外商投资和扩大国外市场。

In requesting a WTO panel, the complainants are seeking a finding of WTO inconsistency that will cause the Government of China to terminate these subsidization programs.在要求世贸组织专家小组中，投诉人正在寻求一种寻找世贸组织不一致，会导致中国政府终止这些补贴项目。 The panel’s conclusions and recommendations in this regard are expected to be released in 2008.专家小组的结论和建议，在这方面，预计于2008年公布。

The Importance of this Dispute to Businesses Engaged in Trade 这方面的重要性将争端提交企业从事贸易
In response to foreign trade-related criticisms, the Chinese government has initiated a number of policies in an effort to “even” the playing field.在回应外交与贸易有关的批评，中国政府已经发起了一些政策，在努力" ，甚至"公平的竞争环境。 They include:这些措施包括：

• revamping its enterprise income tax to phase out favourable treatment to foreign-invested enterprises; and •改造，其税率征收企业所得税，逐步取消优惠待遇，以外商投资企业;
• tightening administration in a number of areas, including labour and intellectual property rights. •收紧政府在一些领域，包括劳工标准和知识产权。
The Chinese government has also put in place policies to discourage investment in lower-end processing and in resource-consuming industries where the price of water and power are government controlled or “subsidized.”中国政府还推行适当的政策，以阻止投资在低端加工和资源型工业而价格的用水和用电都是由政府控制或"补贴" 。

Nevertheless, the importance of this dispute to Canadian businesses cannot be overstated.不过，这一点的重要性纠纷向加拿大企业怎么强调也不过分。 China, which consistently ranks among the top export destinations for foreign businesses, represents a huge potential market for exports from abroad and a wealth of opportunities for foreign businesses who seek to establish operations in China.中国，它始终排名居前的出口目的地，为外商，是一个巨大的潜在市场，为产品出口国外，以及丰富的机会，为中外企业寻求建立在中国的业务。

For Canadian businesses, a WTO panel ruling that Chinese subsidies are WTO-inconsistent could result in significant market openings arising from changes to Chinese laws.为加拿大企业，世贸组织专家小组的裁决，认为中国的补贴与WTO不一致可能导致重大的市场开放所带来的变化，给中国的法律。 For the Chinese government and Chinese business, a negative panel ruling could place severe constraints on Chinese funding programs and fiscal measures in support not only of Chinese companies but also of foreign companies based in China.对于中国政府和中国企业而言，负面小组裁决可能发生的严重限制中国的资金计划和财政措施，不但支持中国公司，而且对外国公司设在中国。

In consequence, any measures taken by the international community or, for that matter, the Chinese government, to reduce the competitiveness of its export industry could hurt foreign (Canadian) invested manufacturers as much as it hurts their Chinese-invested counterparts.因此，在采取任何措施，受到了国际社会的，或者可以说，中国政府，以减少竞争力，其出口业将会损害外国（加拿大）投资厂商多，因为它伤害了他们的中国投资。 Depending on which report one reads, foreign-invested enterprises account for between 55% to 65% of all exports from China.这取决于哪一个报告，内容，外商投资企业占了55 ％至65 ％的所有出口产品来自中国。 The implications are, therefore, apparent.含义，因此，显而易见的。

Cliff Sosnow, Robert Kwauk and Elysia Van Zeyl悬崖sosnow ，罗伯特kwauk和elysia车zeyl
Blakes blakes : “Canadian Law Firm of the Year”说： "加拿大律师事务所的一年"