This article is from the June 2004 issue of EURObiz.
Enthusiasm for China reverberated around the European institutions last month following Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to Brussels. Premier Wen was accompanied by a business delegation with representatives from more than 160 Chinese companies, on his first visit to the European Union since taking office last year.
Just two months before Premier Wen’s historic visit, European Commission President Romano Prodi was in China with Pascal Lamy, European Commissioner for Trade. Wen’s trip to Europe, so soon after its largest ever enlargement, highlights the level of commitment both sides are willing to put into strengthening their relationship.
During his trip, Premier Wen attended the EU-China Investment Trade Forum on 6th May, where he delivered a speech. The Chamber had helped to organise this event.
The role of the Chamber in facilitating this Forum is significant. It is a mark of recognition for the Chamber that the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) requested our involvement in the Forum. In the eyes of the Chinese government, the Chamber is seen to represent European business in China.
Chamber President, Serge Janssens de Varebeke.
In his address to the forum, Director General M. Peter Carl of the European Commission’s Directorate General (DG Trade) mentioned several issues that had been highlighted in the European Chamber’s 2003 Position Paper. The issues he addressed included the restrictions in the construction sector, the dual distribution network in the automotive sector, and intellectual property rights, among others.
DG Trade conducts the European Union’s common trade policy under the authority of EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy.
During the preparation of Premier Wen’s trip, Vice-Minister of Commerce Zhang Zhigang met with Mr. Janssens twice to ensure the involvement of the European business community in what was billed as a key event in the Premier’s schedule. On the day of the event, representatives from more than 350 European companies were present – among them were a large number of Chamber members. The Chamber’s Vice-President Jean-Claude Germain also attended the event. After the forum, Mr. Zhang expressed his appreciation for the Chamber’s help in ensuring the success of the event, and at the large turnout of the European business community.
Prior to the Forum, the organisers (including Chamber President Serge Janssens) and sponsors were introduced to Premier Wen Jiabao. During the event, Premier Wen, Mr Prodi and Mr Lamy all addressed the attendees. Mr. Janssens also gave a presentation on European business in China and the future opportunities for EU businesses in China at the forum.
Premier Wen’s first visit to the EU
At the invitation of Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited the European Union’s headquarters in Brussels for the first time on 6th May.
The Chinese delegation also included Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing, Minister of the State Development and Reform Commission Ma Kai, Minister of the General Administration of Customs Mou Xinsheng.
Both sides briefed each other on developments in China and the EU. They stressed the excellent state of the EU-China relationship and identified priority areas for EU-China cooperation in the years to come. They also reaffirmed their support for a strong multilateral trading system based on international rules. But while acknowledging the efforts China is making in WTO compliance, Mr Prodi reiterated the EU’s hope that China would make more progress in this regard. The Chinese leader emphasised that it would continue with its efforts to comply with China’s WTO commitments.
What They Said
I believe the EU and China have an ever-growing interest in working together as strategic partners to promote sustainable development. peace and stability worldwide and in reinforcing their cooperation across the board.
President of the European Commission Romano Prodi
Premier Wen compared the EU’s integration process with China’s process of opening up. He also said that the “comprehensive, strategic partnership” of the EU and China was multi-dimensional and not related to just trade.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
Beyond the figures of the growth of our bilateral trade, etc., it is indeed the quality and the content of our bilateral trade and economic relationship in the future that needs to attract most of our attention and of our efforts.
European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy
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