EU-China release joint statement reaffirming multilateralism & trade

by

Following negotiations that have been "difficult", in the words of European Council President Donald Tusk, the EU-China summit held in Brussels this week has concluded with a joint statement saying that both sides would “establish a political mechanism to continuously monitor the progress in the negotiations and to report to leaders by the end of the year on the progress made”.

Heading up the Chinese delegation was Premier Li Keqiang. President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker represented the EU and despite earlier tensions and the threat of a walkout by EU negotiators, the two sides managed to end the summit in agreement; a fact that has been roundly hailed as an achievement considering the geopolitical backdrop.

Following the summit, Mr Tusk said: "Negotiations have been difficult, but ultimately fruitful. We managed to agree a joint statement, which sets the direction for our partnership based on reciprocity. This was our common effort and it is our common success."

Both sides agreed to deepening the EU-China strategic partnership, as well as the adoption of a new cooperation agenda for beyond 2020 by the time next year's summit comes around. The two sides also committed to building their economic relationship on openness, non-discrimination and fair competition.

The statement has been described as different to that of previous years. With the EU's growing impatience with Chinese hesitation to open up its markets, this time it appears as if China is responding with genuine compromise. 

The Asian superpower needs the EU's support ahead of June's G20 summit, as well as for President Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

For the EU's part, it wanted to get China on side for World Trade Organisation reform, and retaining commitment to the nuclear deal in Iran, as well as intensified cooperation on implementing the Paris Climate Agreement.

The two sides also agreed to look at ways in which the BRI and the EU's Connecting Europe & Asia Programme, as well as the Trans-European Transport Network could be synergised. 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said following the conclusion of the summit: “On the basis of mutual respect and equality, we had intense discussions and reached a substantive joint statement." He added: "It sets in clear terms both the direction and concrete goals for both sides.”

President Juncker tweeted after the summit:

This year's summit will be the last for Juncker and Tusk whose terms end in November. The consensus with Premier Li allows both presidents to leave with a positive legacy. 

Read the full text of the EU-China joint statement.

Back to Homepage

Back to Politics & Economics