Xinhua News Agency, Brussels, April 9-The full text of the joint statement of the 21st China-EU leaders’ meeting is as follows:
Joint Statement of the 21st China-EU Leaders’ Meeting
(Brussels, Belgium, April 9, 2019)
preface
1. People’s Republic of China (PRC) Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China held the 21st China-EU Leaders’ Meeting with European Council President donald tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels on April 9th, and issued the following statement.
2. China and the EU reaffirm the vitality of China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and are willing to make joint efforts to achieve peace, prosperity and sustainable development, and promise to support multilateralism and respect international law and basic norms of international relations with the United Nations at the core. The two sides pledged to uphold the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the three pillars of the United Nations, namely, peace and security, development and human rights.
The European side reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy.
bilateral relations/ties
3. The leaders of the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the four partnerships of China-EU peace, growth, reform and civilization through the full implementation of the China-EU Cooperation 2020 Strategic Plan on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit. China and the EU are committed to strengthening cooperation, especially within the framework of the existing bilateral dialogue. China and Europe welcome the new round of China-EU high-level strategic dialogue held not long ago. In order to further expand and deepen exchanges and cooperation after 2020, China and the EU will formulate a new cooperation agenda before the next China-EU leaders’ meeting.
4. China and EU are committed to building their economic and trade relations on the basis of openness, non-discrimination, fair competition, transparency and mutual benefit. The two sides promised to make decisive progress in the negotiations in 2019, especially in terms of investment liberalization commitments, so as to reach a high-level China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment in 2020. The high level of the agreement will be reflected in the substantial improvement of market access, the elimination of discriminatory requirements and practices affecting foreign investors, the establishment of a balanced investment protection framework and the inclusion of provisions on investment and sustainable development. The two sides agreed to establish a high-level communication mechanism to continuously supervise the negotiations and report the progress to the leaders before the end of this year.
5. China and the EU are committed to ensuring equal and mutually beneficial cooperation in bilateral trade and investment. The two sides reaffirmed their willingness to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, trade and investment, and to give each other broader, more convenient and non-discriminatory market access. To this end, the two sides will increase their efforts to find mutually agreed solutions for some key barriers identified by both sides, and make an inventory at the next China-EU leaders’ meeting. In this context, the two sides will hold meetings as soon as possible and speed up their work to achieve concrete results through existing channels. The two sides reiterated the importance of adhering to international scientific standards.
The two sides agreed to promote bilateral trade in agricultural products and food, while respecting international standards on sanitary and phytosanitary matters, especially the principle of zoning. The two sides agreed to explore the application of OIE zoning principles to trade based on OIE analysis. The two sides are committed to expanding market access for mutually supplied agricultural products and food in a transparent and predictable manner. The two sides will seek the guidance of international standard-setting institutions on the official certification of low-risk foods.
6. The EU supports China’s progress in accelerating its accession to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, and China is willing to improve its bid in an ambitious way. China will actively promote relevant work as soon as possible.
The two sides stressed the importance of following international standards in intellectual property protection and law enforcement. The two sides will continue to work hard to achieve substantive results in mutually agreed priority areas such as malicious registration of intellectual property rights, intellectual property law enforcement and trade secrets. The two sides are committed to creating a legal environment in which creators, inventors and artists can license their rights according to market terms and effectively enforce these rights in courts and related institutions.
The two sides noted the recent progress in the negotiation of the agreement on geographical indications, and welcomed the initial agreement on the text and the protection of most geographical indication names of both sides. The two sides promised that in order to formally conclude the negotiations before the end of 2019, they will continue to cooperate in the coming months to solve the remaining problems, especially those related to the remaining geographical indications.
China and the European Union look forward to launching the joint feasibility study on deepening cooperation in the field of wine and spirits at an early date.
7. The two sides welcomed the signing of the Framework Agreement on China-EU Competition Policy Dialogue and the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing a Dialogue Mechanism in the Field of Fair Competition Review System and State Aid Control System, and will continue to strengthen pragmatic cooperation to create a level playing field for operators in all countries, including Chinese and European enterprises, and promote the healthy development of bilateral and global economic and trade relations.
8. China and the EU are making active efforts to sign the China-EU Agreement on Civil Aviation Safety and the China-EU Agreement on Certain Aspects of Flight as soon as possible. The two sides welcomed the holding of the 8th China-EU Energy Dialogue and the signing of the Joint Statement on the Implementation of China-EU Energy Cooperation, and supported the launch and implementation of the newly established China-EU Energy Cooperation Platform. The two sides pledged to actively promote the dialogue between China and Europe in the field of personnel exchanges and immigration, and complete parallel negotiations on visa facilitation agreements and cooperation agreements on combating illegal immigration as soon as possible.
9. China and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The two sides will strengthen exchanges on international development cooperation, explore cooperation with other partner countries and work together to promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
10. China and the EU reaffirm that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. The two sides welcomed the regular China-EU human rights dialogue held on April 1-2, 2019, and agreed to conduct human rights exchanges at the bilateral and international levels on the basis of equality and mutual respect, including under the UN human rights mechanism. The two sides will explore ways to strengthen cooperation in the United Nations framework and other fields in the future.
11. The China-Europe Network Working Group aims to maintain an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful information and communication technology environment. Both sides welcome the ongoing discussions in the Working Group and agree to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. The two sides recalled that international law, especially the Charter of the United Nations, is applicable to and crucial to maintaining peace and stability in cyberspace. The two sides worked hard to promote the formulation and implementation of internationally accepted national codes of conduct for responsible cyberspace within the framework of the United Nations. The two sides will strengthen cooperation in combating malicious activities in cyberspace under the China-Europe Network Working Group, including cooperation in intellectual property protection.
5G will provide basic support for future economic and social development. The two sides welcomed the progress and further exchanges in the dialogue and cooperation mechanism based on the 2015 China-EU 5G Joint Statement, including technical cooperation between industries.
12. Both sides welcomed the successful holding of the Fourth China-EU Dialogue on Innovation and Cooperation. The two sides confirmed their willingness to extend the China-EU Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement.
The two sides are committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the fields of education, tourism, researchers’ exchanges, culture, media, youth and sports through the China-EU high-level foreign language exchange and dialogue mechanism. The two sides look forward to the fifth meeting of the China-EU High-level Foreign Language Exchange and Dialogue Mechanism to be held in Brussels. The two sides welcomed the positive results of the China-Europe Tourism Year in 2018 and promised to continue to strengthen cooperation in the tourism industry and personnel exchanges.
Global challenges and governance
13. China and the EU recognize the responsibility to play an exemplary role in supporting an open, balanced and inclusive global economic policy, which will benefit all parties and promote trade and investment. The two sides firmly support the multilateral trading system based on rules and centered on the World Trade Organization, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and are committed to abiding by WTO rules.
The two sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to WTO reform and cooperation to ensure its relevance and meet global trade challenges. To this end, the two sides will step up discussions aimed at strengthening international rules on industrial subsidies on the basis of the existing work of the China-EU Joint Working Group on WTO Reform. The two sides will also continue to exchange views on other authorized WTO issues.
The two sides welcomed the work done so far by the China-EU Joint Working Group on WTO Reform, and agreed to continue efforts to resolve the crisis of the WTO Appellate Body and build consensus in other areas.
Both parties agree not to transfer technology by force.
The two sides support the work of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law on the reform of the investment dispute settlement mechanism and will cooperate in this process.
14. The two sides reaffirmed their support for the G20 to continue to play an active role as the main forum for international economic and financial cooperation, and agreed to implement G20 commitments and support strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth. The two sides agreed to promote the G20 to make greater contributions to maintaining multilateralism, improving global economic governance and promoting global economic growth in the spirit of partnership and consensus. The two sides called on all G20 members to strengthen communication and cooperation and maintain a free, open and non-discriminatory global trade market. The two sides are willing to jointly promote the Osaka Summit to achieve positive results.
Both sides agreed that steel overcapacity is a global challenge and needs to be addressed together. The two sides agreed to maintain communication at the global forum on steel overcapacity and look forward to forming a substantive report before June 2019.
The two sides will continue to promote the reform of the international monetary and financial system and complete the fifteenth round of the IMF’s general quota inspection at the latest in 2019.
15. Both sides agreed to intensify efforts to formulate a new set of guidelines for officially supported export credit within the International Working Group on Export Credit.
16. The two sides emphasized their firm commitment to implement the Paris Agreement and the Montreal Protocol, and further strengthened cooperation on the basis of the 2018 China-EU Leaders’ Joint Statement on Climate Change and Clean Energy, in view of the urgency of taking domestic and international actions to effectively address the global threat of climate change. The two sides recalled that carbon price and fossil fuel subsidy reform are key steps in this regard. In this context, the two sides will strengthen green financial cooperation to guide private capital to flow to a more environmentally sustainable economy. The two sides will work together to promote the success of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit and the United Nations Climate Action Summit in September 2019.
The two sides stressed the importance of demonstrating determination on clean energy transformation and playing a more leading role in the global environmental agenda. The two sides will actively implement the Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Economy Cooperation and promote pragmatic industrial cooperation between the two sides.
The two sides recognize the importance of cooperation in dealing with global environmental challenges, including pollution and marine debris. The two sides will deepen cooperation on issues such as preventing biodiversity loss, implementing and enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), combating illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products, sustainable forest management, combating illegal logging and related trade, and desertification and land degradation.
The two sides look forward to holding a successful and landmark Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming in 2020. The two sides work together to promote the adoption of an ambitious and realistic post-2020 global biodiversity framework at the Conference of the Parties to be held in China in 2020.
The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to the effective implementation of the blue partnership in the marine field, including cooperation in promoting sustainable fisheries development and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and maintaining exchanges on the conservation and sustainable utilization of Antarctic marine living resources, including through the establishment of Antarctic marine reserves. The two sides agree with the "sustainable blue economic and financial principles" to promote sustainable investment in the ocean.
The two sides welcomed the first meeting of the China-EU water policy dialogue mechanism.
17. The two sides will cooperate to improve the economic, social, financial, financial and environmental sustainability and compatibility of Eurasian connectivity. The cooperation should be based on the principles of market rules, transparency, open procurement and fair competition, and follow the existing international norms and standards and the laws of the beneficiary countries of the project, taking into account the policies and national conditions of the beneficiary countries.
The two sides will continue to promote the "One Belt, One Road" initiative in China, the European Union’s Euro-Asian Interconnection Strategy and the Pan-European Transport Network, and welcome the signing of the China-EU Joint Research Framework Agreement on Railway-based Sustainable Corridor on the China-EU Interconnection Platform. The two sides will strengthen exchanges under the framework of China-EU interconnection platform.
Foreign and security policy
18. China and the EU reaffirmed their willingness to contribute to international peace and stability by strengthening dialogue and cooperation and in accordance with international law. The two sides support the peaceful settlement of regional disputes and conflicts through dialogue and consultation.
Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, the two sides believe that the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue is a key link in the global nuclear non-proliferation system and a major diplomatic achievement approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2231. They reaffirm their commitment to the sustained, comprehensive and effective implementation of the agreement and make joint efforts to safeguard Iran’s economic interests. The two sides recalled the importance of the Arak heavy water reactor reconstruction project and the necessity of continuing to work together in this regard. The International Atomic Energy Agency has issued 14 consecutive reports confirming that Iran has fulfilled its nuclear-related commitments, and both sides welcome this.
The two sides support the DPRK-US dialogue to achieve a peaceful solution and the DPRK-ROK reconciliation. The two sides emphasized the importance of full and complete implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions by all parties.
The two sides are committed to working together and closely coordinating the peace process in Afghanistan, which must be comprehensive, inclusive, "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned" and a political process that can bring lasting peace. The two sides agreed to support international and regional efforts for the stability and security of Afghanistan, so as to promote the economic and social development of Afghanistan and strengthen regional economic interconnection before, during and after the peaceful settlement of the Afghan issue.
20. The two sides pay close attention to the evolving situation in Venezuela and are willing to work with other parties to promote a political, peaceful and democratic solution decided by the Venezuelan people.
21. China, the European Union and its member States are parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They respect the maritime order based on international law and safeguard the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all countries in accordance with international law. The EU welcomes the consultations between China and ASEAN countries to reach an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). The two sides called on all parties concerned to engage in dialogue, resolve disputes peacefully and avoid acts that might aggravate tensions.
22. The two sides agreed to strengthen peace, security and defense cooperation and high-level exchanges, including maritime security and combating piracy, support Africans to solve African problems in an African way, so as to maintain peace and security in Africa, and support information exchange on crisis management and UN peacekeeping operations.
23. On the Ukrainian issue, China and the EU recalled UN Security Council Resolution 2202 and called for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreement.
24. The two sides also exchanged views on Myanmar.
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