China calls on Europe to respect principles of market economy, fair competition: spokesman

China on Tuesday urged the European Union to respect market principles and fair competition, and to refrain from abusing trade remedies, following reports that the EU was considering new measures to restrict imports of Chinese products.

Speaking at a regular press conference, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun said China's relationship with the EU is essentially a partnership, and their economic and trade ties are mutually beneficial.

"As far as China is concerned, the relationship with the EU is essentially a partnership, and the economic and trade ties are mutually beneficial. The success of the recent second meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation fully proves that the two sides can properly handle differences in economy and trade through dialogue and consultation. It is in the interest of both sides to step up dialogue and consultation and deepen economic and trade cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, which is also the shared expectation of the business community and people of both sides. It is hoped that the EU will abide by the principles of market economy and fair competition, avoid abusing trade remedies, and take concrete actions to promote the steady and sound development of China-EU relations," said Guo.

China calls on Europe to respect principles of market economy, fair competition: spokesman

China calls on Europe to respect principles of market economy, fair competition: spokesman

China calls on Europe to respect principles of market economy, fair competition: spokesman

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) said Tuesday that it has reported more than 10,000 confirmed Ebola cases since the outbreak began in May, according to data released Tuesday by the country's health authorities.

The latest report showed that the country had recorded a total of 10,060 confirmed cases, including 4,887 deaths, as of Oct. 25, with a case fatality rate of 48.6 percent.

The outbreak has affected 66 health zones across eight of the DRC's 26 provinces.

The eastern province of Ituri remained the epicenter, accounting for 71.7 percent of all confirmed cases, the report said.

The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, was declared in the DRC on May 15. It has since spread to five countries, including four in Africa. The other three are Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. France reported one imported case.

Unlike the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, the Bundibugyo virus has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

The current Ebola outbreak has become the largest and deadliest ever recorded in the DRC and the second-largest Ebola outbreak globally, after the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic.

Ebola cases top 10,000 in DR Congo