China - EU wrap up 20th Summit

China-EU wrap up 20th Summit

Bilateral relations move forward with renewed commitment to free trade

Newsletter September 2018

20th China-EU summit puts spotlight on bilateral investment

China-EU negotiations for a bilateral investment agreement are advancing, with an exchange of market access offers at the 20th China-EU summit in Beijing on 18 July. The two sides agreed to make the talks a top priority to create an open, transparent, fair and predictable business environment for investors.

Other areas of cooperation discussed include environment, energy, scientific innovation, intellectual property rights, digital economy, and urbanisation. Committing to upholding the principles of free trade, the two sides also agreed to set up a joint working group to discuss possible WTO reform. Read more.

President Xi: China and the EU should instil positive energy into international community

President Xi Jinping met Council and Commission Presidents Donald Tusk and Jean- Claude Juncker in the framework of the Summit, committing together to safeguard free trade and a rules-based international governance system. “China and the EU are both builders of world peace, contributors to global development and defenders of the international order," said President Xi.

The Chinese president also stressed that China and the EU should work together to resolve international hot-spot problems, and promote multilateralism, especially the status and role of the United Nations. “As two major markets and civilisations of today's world, China and Europe should […] instil more stability and positive energy into the international community,” he said.

EU ends restrictions on solar panel sales

The European Commission has decided to cancel duties on solar panels imported from China and other parts of Asia, in a move welcomed by Member States, NGOs and industry associations.

According to EU officials, the duty lift will fulfil two important goals: reaching the EU’s climate target and generating jobs in the services sector. “The Commission’s move to end the trade measures is unquestionably the right one for Europe, we expect to see a significant increase in solar jobs and deployment – which will only propel the energy transition in Europe,” commented Dr Christian Westermeier, President of SolarPower Europe.

"The decision will restore China-EU trade of solar panels to normal market conditions and provide a more stable and predictable business environment for both industries," said the Chinese Ministry of Commerce in a statement.

Top tweets of the month:

Premier Li discusses market access and IPR with EU business leaders

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang reassured European entrepreneurs on China’s commitment to crack down on Intellectual property rights violations and create a more business-friendly environment, during a roundtable discussion on the sidelines of the 20th China-EU summit. Listening to EU leaders and businessmen about their experiences of investing in China, the Premier pleaded for easier market access to promote EU investment in China. Read more.

Summit showed determination on both sides to further China-EU ties, says Ambassador Zhang

“The China-European Union leaders' meeting has demonstrated determination of both sides in safeguarding multilateralism, consolidating momentum of improvement in China-EU ties and adding significant stability factor to the current world full of uncertainty,” said Chinese Ambassador to the EU Zhang Ming in a post-summit interview with Xinhua. Speaking about the wide scope of cooperation affirmed at the Summit – from environment and energy to industry and digital economy – the Ambassador stressed that the Summit “has further consolidated the momentum of the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.” Read more

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