Third, the voting result does not have to be accepted by the member states. Although there are no official figures, more than half of countries in the European Union, including the Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxemburg and those from central and East Europe are prepared to recognize Beijing's market economy status.

This means if the decision is made on the basis of one country one vote, the result will be far different from that on Thursday.

What's more, the majority of the members of the World Trade Organization have already recognized China's market economy status. Are the EU's criteria higher than that of Australia or Switzerland, for instance?

To be honest, the European Union is a fragmented market that needs harmonizing rules. The different member states have market economies of various degrees of sophistication.

Instead of closing its doors and imposing protectionism, the EU should recognize that more opportunities will occur as China continues to push forward its market-oriented reforms and open-up further.

Both sides should admit each other's strengths and weakness with constructive, visionary and forward-looking attitudes.

All in all, the result of the European Parliament's vote is misleading and unconvincing. And if it is improperly being taken as a key part of EU decision-making, the EU will be taking the wrong path.

The author is deputy editor of China Daily European Edition. [email protected]