von 1. The 13th EU-China Summit took place in Brussels on 6 October 2010. Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China attended the meeting on behalf of China. The EU was represented by Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council and by Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.
2. The leaders expressed satisfaction that the bilateral relations had strengthened during the recovery from the international financial crisis. They agreed that EUChina relations should stand at a new starting point for further development at a time when the impacts of the current financial crisis on the international economic, political and security landscape are becoming increasingly evident, and the EU and China are both entering a new important stage of development. On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides expressed their commitment to open a new phase in the EU-China relations taking full advantage of the new opportunities including those provided by the Lisbon Treaty.
3. The EU and China agreed to strengthen further their comprehensive strategic partnership in a spirit of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit. They agreed that their cooperation should also be strengthened to address global challenges. In this regard, they stressed the strategic guidance given by the EU-China Summit in coordinating EU-China dialogues and cooperation in all fields, with particular importance attached to the significant role of EU-China strategic dialogues on political, economic and trade, as well as macro-economy affairs. Both sides fully acknowledged the importance of recognizing each other’s major concerns with a view to furthering their overall relationship.
4. The two sides reviewed their bilateral economic and trade relations and expressed satisfaction with the rapid recovery and growth of bilateral trade and investment in 2010. They agreed to intensify discussions on ways to promote bilateral trade and investment, also removing trade barriers and ensuring a business climate conducive to the further development of trade and investment relations.
5. The two sides took note of the work of the Joint Task Force on Investment and underlined the significant potential that could be realized from pursuing discussions in this area. The Joint Task Force will report back at the next meeting of the High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue. Both sides welcomed the 6th EU-China Business Summit.
6. Leaders welcomed the discussions held in Brussels on October 4–5 between the Euro Troika and their Chinese counterparts on macro-economic issues. They reiterated that further concerted efforts were needed to put in place sound fiscal policies that would guarantee the sustainability of public finances while being growth-friendly, inter alia, to intensify structural adjustment in order to make growth more sustainable and balanced as well as to allow for flexible responses to the evolution of economic fundamentals. These joint efforts would put the global recovery on a more solid and sustainable track.
7. Leaders stressed the importance of the next G20 meeting in Seoul where coordinated actions are needed to secure the global economic recovery and laying the foundations for strong, sustainable and balanced growth not least through an agreement in the Doha round negotiations. Leaders underlined that enhancing financial stability and ensuring an open trade and investment environment remained common challenge to be urgently addressed. They also welcomed the G20’s recognition that achieving global growth requires narrowing the development gap and reducing poverty. The two sides expressed their support for achieving the set targets for IMF quota reform before the G20 Seoul Summit.
8. Leaders agreed that appropriate climate change and energy policies are needed to support joint efforts toward energy savings, increasing energy efficiency and fostering green and low-carbon development. The two sides will further enhance policy dialogue and practical cooperation under the framework of the EU-China Climate Change Partnership and the Energy Dialogue. Cooperation should, inter alia, focus on renewable energies, energy efficiency, smart grids and clean coal technologies including carbon capture and storage. They encouraged research actors, in particular SMEs, to carry out research and development cooperation in energy, aiming to promote energy conservation and emission reduction. Leaders also underlined that they remain committed to the climate negotiations under the guidance of the “Bali Action Plan” and to promoting a positive, comprehensive and balanced outcome at the Cancun conference.
9. Leaders discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern. Both sides appreciated their cooperation on anti-piracy in the Gulf of Aden as a positive step and agreed to explore further areas for cooperation. They agreed to intensify cooperation on development issues and reiterated their support to achieving the MDGs.
10. Leaders expressed their commitment to give full support to the EU-China Year of Youth 2011, recalling its main objectives to promote intercultural dialogue, and strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and European youth. Leaders gave their full support for the first EU-China High Level Cultural Forum (Brussels 6–7 October) that set the stage for declaring 2012 as the China-Europe Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
11. The two parties signed cooperative agreements on Ocean affairs and Year of Youth 2011.
Source:
Council of the European Union
