BRUSSELS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) has expressed strong disapproval regarding the recent decision by EU member states to prevent Chinese companies from participating in public procurement tenders for medical devices valued over 5 million euros, equivalent to approximately 5.72 million U.S. dollars, as regulated by the bloc's International Procurement Instrument (IPI).

The newly approved measures impose a five-year ban on these Chinese firms from participating in the specified contracts, raising significant economic concerns.

In a formal statement, the CCCEU articulated its deep disappointment and alarm over the EU's decision, indicating that the targeted implementation of the IPI against Chinese enterprises sends a concerning message.

The chamber underscored that such measures complicate China-EU economic and trade relations further and contradict the EU's officially stated principles of market openness, fairness, and non-discrimination.

The IPI was established by the EU in 2022 as a unilateral measure aimed at enforcing purported 'market reciprocity' in public procurement. The CCCEU maintained that an earnest pursuit of reciprocity must be grounded in a comprehensive understanding of historical contexts and practical realities, particularly noting that European medical device firms have had extensive access to the Chinese market for many years.

The statement from the CCCEU emphasized that the EU's current decision overlooks these dynamics, ultimately undermining the principles of balanced engagement and mutual benefit.

Broader apprehensions regarding escalating protectionism were also articulated, with references to recently imposed unilateral tariffs by select nations that have adversely impacted global trade flows. The chamber asserted that both China and the EU, as pivotal global economic players, should champion free trade and cooperative multilateral relations, avoiding unilateral restrictions that heighten tensions.

The CCCEU reinforced that Chinese firms have consistently operated within the bounds of applicable laws and regulations, highlighting their substantial contributions to the EU market through investments, technological advancements, and job creation.

In light of these developments, the CCCEU has urged EU policymakers to reassess the necessity and potential long-term consequences of the IPI measures, cautioning that employing such policy instruments as implicit trade barriers could detrimentally affect bilateral relations and undermine global economic recovery efforts.