EU-China relations appear back on track after Prague summit

The European Union and China came together in Prague on Wednesday in an attempt to launch a new phase in mutual relations. Although no major deals were sealed in the Czech capital, the summit set the stage for cooperation in addressing the global economic crisis, trade and climate change.

Wen Jiabao, photo: CTK

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao told reporters he had made a special effort to attend the two-hour EU – China summit in Prague on Wednesday. He pointed out the trip entailed 20 hours of flying, showing the importance Beijing attaches to a re-launch of EU-China relations at the highest level. The summit was hosted by the Czech EU presidency, and chaired by President Václav Klaus.

“We discussed many issues, general and partial, not just the EU – China relations. We talked about problems related to the current economic and financial crisis, the climate issues and problems connected to various international and regional issues such as North Korea, Burma, Iran, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and others.”

EU officials signed three memorandums of understanding with the Chinese leader on small and medium sized businesses, science and clean energy. These and other issues are yet to be addressed in practical terms – particularly the fact the EU’s foreign trade deficit in relation to China is 170 billion euros. But President of the European Commission Jose Manual Barroso said he appreciated the fact the stage had been set for further trade negotiations between the two sides.

“Our high-level economic and trade mechanism has proved to be a useful platform to address our trade problems. This is a proof of our commitment to further marker opening and to finding practical solutions to trade imbalances. From the effects of the current crisis on both Europe and China, it’s clearer than ever that it is in our mutual interest to address these imbalances.”

With regard to the global economic downturn, Wen Jiabao said that his government considers international cooperation to be the most important tool.

“China stands ready to develop friendly relations and cooperation with all countries, and it will never seek hegemony. It is impossible for a couple of countries or a group of big powers to resolve all global issues. Some say that world affairs will be managed solely by China and the United States. Well, I think that view is baseless and wrong.”

Jose Manuel Barroso, Wen Jiabao, Václav Klaus (left to right), photo: CTK

Another EU-China summit will be held in Beijing in November, indicating that relations have improved. The last scheduled summit was cancelled in December over Beijing’s opposition to a meeting between Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, when France held the rotating EU presidency.

The next such meeting will take place just weeks before a UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, which is when the EU would like to see all major players come up with concrete commitments to combat climate change. Jose Manuel Barroso.

“All the major economies have now to put their positions on the table. The European Union has indeed been doing that for some time already, and we are very proud of this leadership position. We are also happy about some recent developments; the United State is moving in the right direction and I’d like to praise President Obama’s important announcement form yesterday regarding car emissions. I am sure that China will also fully engage and build on recently made progress.”

EU concerns over China’s human rights record were voiced by Václav Klaus, who said that the issue is not going to be dropped in the future. For his part, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said his country had no intention of abandoning the principle of non- interference.