Mao Ning profile photo Photo: official website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Responding to a question over the EU's plan to impose a flat fee of 2 euros ($2.27) on small packages entering the bloc, mainly from China, as the European Commission claims that the parcels represent a new challenge to its control and safety, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Wednesday referred the specific question to competent Chinese authorities.

"What I can tell you is that China always maintains that creating an open and inclusive international trade environment serves the common interests of all parties," Mao said at a regular press briefing. 

"We hope the EU side will uphold its commitment to openness, and provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, and create favorable conditions for China-EU economic and trade cooperation," Mao said.