On December 21, 2010, the 3rd China-EU High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue was held in Beijing. This year’s theme was macro-economics and customs cooperation. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Vice Premier Wang Qishan, Vice-President of the European Commission and EU competition commissioner Manuel Almunia, Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn, and Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht.
Tian Lipu, commissioner of China’s State Intellectual Property Office China (SIPO), delivered a speech on IP cooperation between China and the EU. He stressed, “In the face of new opportunities and challenges, China and the EU shall strive for common development by further strengthening and developing a friendly relationship of cooperation and creating a favorable environment for the innovation of enterprises by carrying out national innovation activities.” Manuel Almunia also expressed, “The benefits driven from economic cooperation between the EU and China are clear. With a cored principle of promoting economic strong development, the EU will redouble efforts to lift the EU-China strategic partnership to a high level with China and deal with new global economic challenges cooperatively.”
During the Dialogue, the two sides fully affirmed the close cooperation in the fields of economics and trade that has occurred since the last Dialogue and agreed to enhance high-technology trade cooperation in the future. This aim is to boost the stable and healthy economic development of both sides, and achieve a strong, sustainable and balanced world of economic growth. Both agreed to hold the next China-EU high-tech trade workshop meeting as early as possible; accelerate the feasibility study process on the negotiation and signing of a bilateral investment treaty; further strength IPR cooperation in terms of industrial products, consumer goods, and foods and other goods and services to protect consumer health. In addition, both sides shall mobilize resources related to scientific study and technological cooperation; boost the exchange of innovative personnel; deepen joint cooperation in innovation and increase R&D funding. Customs offices of China and EU have signed the extended files of the Strategic Framework on Customs Cooperation and the Action Plan on Customs IP. The EU agreed to enhance communication with China for early reorganization of China’s market economic status soon.
The two sides reiterated that international coordination and cooperation of economic governance platforms (such as the G20) should be strengthened and the reformation of international finance rules and standards need to be propelled forward. Under the China-EU agreement, all agree they will take concrete actions to oppose any form of trade and investment protectionism, adopt remedial trade remedy measures with caution, and increase coordination and consultation in the Doha Round at the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, pressing for a comprehensive and balanced outcome in the near future.
