EUROPEAN COMMISSION:EU-China Summit: moving forward with our global partnership

EU-China Summit: moving forward with our global partnership

EU-China Summit: A number of important developments to the bilateral relationship and fresh impetus to a partnership that has a global impact

The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, along with President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, represented the European Union at the 19th bilateral Summit between the European Union and China which took place today in Brussels. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmström, and Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas also attended for the European Union.

At the Summit, EU and Chinese leaders reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change and, as major energy consumers and importers, highlighted the importance of fostering cooperation in their energy policies. Discussions also took place on issues pertaining to foreign and security policy, where the EU and China looked at ways to advance cooperation and joint action in addressing both regional and global challenges, including common security threats, the promotion of multilateralism, peacekeeping and peace-building.

During the Summit, a number of agreements were signed that will concretely strengthen what is already a comprehensive relationship. In addition, several EU-China meetings covering specific policy areas, held in the margins of the Summit, also brought positive outcomes. These included the 12th EU-China Business Summit, the EU-China Connectivity Platform, High Level Energy Dialogue and the Innovation Cooperation Dialogue.

More concretely, 10 agreements between the EU and China were signed, including on investment; on competition; on connectivity and related projects and policies; on trade matters, including geographical indications and overcapacity; on human rights and the rule of law; on tourism; and on maritime affairs.