A summit of the leaders of China and the European Union was held on Sept. 14 where, according to People’s Daily a consensus was reached on “advancing ties, safeguarding multilateralism, and jointly addressing global challenges.” The virtual summit included Chinese President Xi Jinping, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, European Council President Charles Michel, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“It is important that China and the EU remain steadfast in pursuit of sound and steady growth of their comprehensive strategic partnership and adhere to four principles, namely peaceful coexistence, openness and cooperation, multilateralism, and dialogue and consultation,” Xi is quoted as having said at the conference.
The leaders committed themselves to speeding up the negotiations of the China-EU Bilateral Investment Treaty so as to conclude the negotiations within this year. They also announced the official signing of the China-EU agreement on geographical indications which would facilitate more EU agricultural exports to China. The leaders also decided to establish a China-EU High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue and a China-EU High Level Digital Cooperation Dialogue, and to forge so-called China-EU green and digital partnerships.
Xinhua wrote that Merkel, Michel and von der Leyen said it is imperative for Europe and China to strengthen cooperation, jointly safeguard multilateralism, resist unilateralism and protectionism, and respond more effectively to various global challenges.
