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Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the

Council:

Elements for a new EU Strategy on China

George Cunningham, Deputy Head of China

Division, EEAS

Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council: Elements for a new EU Strategy on China

EU policy context

Why a new Strategy?

The EU Strategy on China:

making the most of

opportunities

What comes next?

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Outline

EU Strategy on China: the EU policy context

• Last EU Communication on China from 2006

• EU and China have changed tremendously since then

Feeding into EU policies:

• Juncker Commission's political guidelines

• European Commission's "Trade for All" Strategy

• European Parliaments report on EU-China relations

• EU Global Strategy

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Why a new EU strategy on China?

EU's interests vis-a-vis China

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• Underline EU values in its relationship with China

• Promote cooperation and exchanges in all areas of engagement

• Encourage China to engage as a partner in the international system

• Welcome an increased role of China in helping resolve international crises

EU Strategy on China: Major new opportunities for prosperity

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EU Strategy on China: Joining forces in the world

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EU Strategy on China: What does the EU expect from China?

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More jobs and growth through trade

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

EU Trade with China

Imports Exports Total Trade

The EU is China's most important trading partner China is the EU's second most important trading partner after the US

in 100 billion €

Investment and market access: EU Economic Diplomacy

Economic diplomacy is a key priority of the Juncker Commission

By improving the coherence and effectiveness of EU external action in the economic field, barriers should be removed and incentives created

Comprehensive Agreement on Investment • Create a more level-playing field for

business • Improve market access for foreign

companies in China and vice versa • Cooperate on the rule of law and

competition enforcement

• Could pave the way for a possible future Free Trade Agreement

BUT: Problem of overcapacity and unfair competition

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Connectivity and People-to-people links

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Improve physical and digital infrastructure links between the EU and China: • Find synergies between China's "One Belt One Road" initiative and

corresponding EU policies and projects • Connectivity Platform • Proposed MoU on Cooperation of Investment (OBOR and Investment Plan for

Europe)

• Foster intercultural dialogue and promote cultural diversity and civil society participation through people-to-people exchanges • Support opportunities for EU sectors (education, creative and cultural

industries, tourism) • Facilitate mobility and combat illegal migration

Work together in international crises

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Build on positive examples: Iran deal (E3/EU+3)

Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, the migration crisis, overall settlement in the Middle

East

Seek a broader shared foreign policy agenda with China based on China's constructive and active participation in providing security as a global public good

Peace and security in each other's neighbourhoods

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• Ensure that Chinese involvement in EU's Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods helps reinforce rules-based governance and regional security

– Uphold Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity

• EU should continue to contribute actively to security in the Asia-Pacific while

further developing its partnership in the region – East and South China Seas: the EU remains concerned about the situation and emphasises

the importance of peaceful settlement of disputes

• Seek a regular and substantial dialogue with China on export control, disarmament and non-proliferation

EU-China security and development cooperation in Africa

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• Continue peacekeeping and counter-piracy operations by building on good experiences of cooperation: e.g. Naval Operation ATALANTA off the Somali Coast

• Engage with relevant Chinese actors on the ground (e.g. Mali, Somalia) to explore more practical cooperation

• Support Chinese efforts to fund the African Peace and Security Architecture

Climate change and environment

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• Pursue joint approaches to speed up the implementation of the Paris agreement and the Nationally Determined Contributions

• EU climate diplomacy should include issues related to: Montreal Protocol, International Civil Aviation Organisation, International Maritime Organisation

• Support China on emissions trading and enhance dialogue in other related areas

Working together in multilateral governance

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China should adhere to international rules and norms and assume its responsibilities in line with the benefit it draws from the rules-based international order

Human rights and the rule of law

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Greater respect for human rights and the rule of law

• The protection of human rights will continue to be a core part of the EU's engagement with China

• The EU will use its full range of diplomatic advocacy and other tools to promote human rights and foster rule of law, civil society, and freedom of expression

• Launch of the Legal Affairs Dialogue in 2016 as a regular forum for exchange and cooperation on legal affairs and the rule of law

A more joined-up approach

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EU Strategy on China

Thank you for your attention!

Questions?

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