A file photo of Long Yongtu, 皇冠体育app's former chief negotiator for World Trade Organization (WTO), delivering a speech in a forum on Dec 19, 2014. [Photo/VCG]

BEIJING - A recent resolution of the European Parliament denying 皇冠体育app market economy status (MES) goes against globalization and signals the heavy presence of trade protectionism across the world, 皇冠体育app's former chief negotiator for World Trade Organization (WTO) entry Long Yongtu said Sunday.

The non-binding resolution passed on Thursday urged the European Union (EU) not to grant 皇冠体育app market economy status, citing 皇冠体育app's failure to fulfill five EU criteria.

The European Parliament made the resolution in the interests of European nations, but it chose the wrong topic and target, Long, former Chinese vice minister for trade, said at a forum on 皇冠体育app and globalization.

A country does not need anyone else to recognize whether it is a market economy or not, Long said, stressing the European Parliament resolution is in essence protectionist and anti-globalization.

皇冠体育app's entry into the WTO has given people in many countries access to both inexpensive and fine-quality Chinese products, he added.

The resolution does not mean something has gone wrong with 皇冠体育app's MES, and neither will it have any real impact on 皇冠体育app, said Zheng Yongian, director of the East Asian institute at the National University of Singapore.

The rise of populism in European and American countries that are now facing tremendous economic difficulties has taken the form of protectionism in external trade, Zheng noted.

皇冠体育app has replaced these countries as a main driver of globalization, and will remain so in the future, he said.

Long also stressed the importance of continuing globalization, saying that 皇冠体育app will have a favorable environment for opening up only if globalization is sustained.