EU-China summit, 09/04/2019

Main results

Leaders agreed on a joint statement setting the direction of the EU-China partnership based on respect and reciprocity

The EU and China committed to further strengthen the EU-China strategic partnership at the 21st EU-China summit.

Both sides agreed on a joint statement setting out the direction for EU-China relations in the years to come:

"Negotiations have been difficult, but ultimately fruitful. We managed to agree a joint statement, which sets the direction for our partnership based on reciprocity. This was our common effort and it is our common success."
Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the EU-China summit

Leaders expressed their joint support for multilateralism and rules-based trade. They reaffirmed their joint engagement to reform the World Trade Organisation. The EU and China agreed to work together to address industrial subsidies.

They also discussed foreign and security issues in their respective neighbourhoods.

President Donald Tusk and President Jean-Claude Juncker represented the EU at the summit. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang represented China.

EU-China cooperation

The EU and China committed to deepen the EU-China strategic partnership. They will adopt a new cooperation agenda beyond 2020 by the next summit.

The EU and China committed to build their economic relationship on openness, non-discrimination and fair competition. Both sides reiterated their willingness to provide each other with broader and more facilitated, non-discriminatory market access.

The summit was also an opportunity for a discussion on cooperation on human rights. The EU and China welcomed the holding of their human rights dialogue in China on 1-2 April.

"I underlined the need to maintain the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue. I expressed again the EU's serious concerns as regards human rights, and raised a number of individual cases."
Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the EU-China summit

Leaders reaffirmed the importance of fighting climate change. Both sides agreed to intensify cooperation on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The EU and China also agreed to cooperate on other environmental issues, such as biodiversity loss or maritime pollution.

In addition to the joint statement, the parties also signed:

Trade

EU and Chinese leaders expressed their strong commitment to the rules-based trading system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core.

Both sides agreed to cooperate on the WTO reform and to help it meet new trade challenges. To this end, the EU and China will intensify the discussions to strengthen international rules on industrial subsidies.

"China and Europe both have a strong economic interest in maintaining significant trade flows, which are possible thanks to the rules-based trading system. However, for this system to continue to operate, it needs to be quickly updated. For the EU, this means serious reform of the WTO that would cover industrial subsidies, as a priority."
Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the EU-China summit

Leaders also reaffirmed their support to the G20, the premier forum for economic cooperation. Both sides agreed that there should not be forced transfer of technology.

On the issue of steel overcapacity, leaders agreed to maintain communication in the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity.

Besides, the EU and China will continue to forge synergies between China's belt and road initiative and the EU's initiatives with a view to improve Europe-Asia connectivity.

Foreign and security policy

The EU and China discussed foreign security issues at the summit.

On Iran, they reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the nuclear deal (JCPOA).

Regarding the Korean peninsula, both sides support the dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the US towards a peaceful solution. They called for the full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions by all parties.

The EU and China agreed to work together and coordinate on the evolving peace process in Afghanistan.

They are also following closely the situation in Venezuela. Both sides agreed to work with other parties on a peaceful and democratic way out of the crisis.

Concerning Ukraine, leaders called for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Background information

At the last European Council meeting, EU leaders had a strategic discussion on the EU-China relations to prepare the summit:

"Our aim is to focus on achieving a balanced relation, which ensures fair competition and equal market access. In this context, we hope to persuade China to include industrial subsidies as a crucial element of the WTO reform."
European Council President Donald Tusk, 22/03/2019

Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the European Council meetings on 21 and 22 March 2019

Ahead of the summit, the Commission and the High Representative issued a joint communication stressing that neither the EU nor any of its member states can effectively achieve their aims with China without full unity.