China’s policy document on EU.
Foreword
At the beginning of the century, the international situation has undergone profound changes. The trend of world multipolarization and economic globalization continues to develop in twists and turns, and peace and development remain the theme of the times. The world is still far from peaceful, and mankind still faces many severe challenges. However, maintaining world peace, promoting development and strengthening cooperation are related to the well-being of people of all countries, the common aspiration and pursuit of people of all countries, and an irresistible historical trend.
China is committed to building a well-off society in an all-round way and hopes to create a good international environment. China will, as always, pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, work with other countries in the world to promote the establishment of a just and rational new international political and economic order, respect the diversity of the world, promote the democratization of international relations, safeguard world peace and seek common development on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
The EU is an important force in the world. China appreciates the importance that the EU and its member states attach to developing relations with China. For the first time, the China government has formulated a policy document on the EU, aiming at showing China’s policy objectives on the EU, planning cooperation areas and relevant measures in the next five years, strengthening all-round cooperation with the EU, and promoting the long-term and stable development of China-EU relations.
Part I: The position and role of the EU.
The birth and development of the European Union is a far-reaching event after the war. Since the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952, the European Union has gone through the stages of development, such as customs union, unified big market, and economic and trade union. Its diplomatic, defense and social alliances have all made progress, the euro has been successfully circulated, and a unified judicial area is taking shape. The EU has become a country with the highest degree of integration and comprehensive strength in the world, accounting for 25% of the world’s total economic output and 35% of the world’s total trade volume, and its per capita income and foreign investment rank among the top in the world.
In 2004, the EU will expand to 25 countries. A new EU covering East and West Europe, with an area of 4 million square kilometers, a population of 450 million and a GDP of over 10 trillion US dollars will soon emerge.
Although the development of the EU still faces many difficulties and challenges, its integration process is irreversible, and the EU will play an increasingly important role in regional and international affairs in the future.
The second part: China’s policy towards the EU.
China attaches importance to the role and influence of the EU in regional and international affairs. History has proved that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Economic Community in 1975 was in the interest of both sides. There have been twists and turns in China-EU relations, but the overall development is good and maturing, and it has entered the track of comprehensive and healthy development. In 1998, the annual meeting mechanism between Chinese and European leaders started. In 2001, China and Europe established a comprehensive partnership. The consultations between the two sides in the fields of politics, economy and trade, science and technology, culture and education have become increasingly close, and the cooperation has achieved remarkable results. China-EU relations are at their best in history.
There is no fundamental conflict of interest between China and Europe, and they do not pose a threat to each other. Due to the differences in historical and cultural traditions, political systems and stages of economic development, it is normal for China and Europe to have different views and differences on certain issues. As long as they are properly handled in the spirit of equality and mutual respect, differences will not become an obstacle to the development of mutual trust and mutual benefit between China and Europe.
The similarities between China and Europe far outweigh the differences. Both China and Europe advocate democratization of international relations, strengthening the role of the United Nations, opposing international terrorism, eliminating poverty, protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development. China and Europe have their own economic advantages and are highly complementary. The EU has developed economy, advanced technology and abundant funds. China has sustained economic growth, a vast market and abundant labor resources. The prospects for economic, trade and technical cooperation between the two sides are broad; China and Europe have a long history and splendid civilizations, and both advocate strengthening cultural exchanges and learning from each other. The political, economic and cultural consensus and interaction between China and Europe constitute a solid foundation for the continuous development of China-EU relations.
Strengthening and developing China-EU relations is an important part of China’s foreign policy. China is committed to building a long-term and stable comprehensive partnership between China and Europe. China’s policy objectives towards the EU are:
-Respect and trust each other, seek common ground while reserving differences, promote the healthy and stable development of political relations and jointly safeguard world peace and stability.
-Mutual benefit, equal consultation, deepening economic and trade cooperation and promoting common development.
-learn from each other, learn from each other’s strengths, expand humanities exchanges, and promote the harmony and progress of eastern and western cultures.
Part III: Strengthening China-EU cooperation in various fields
I. Political aspects
(A) to strengthen high-level exchanges and political dialogue
-Maintain close contact and timely communication between high-level officials of both sides in various ways.
-Give full play to the function of the annual meeting between Chinese and European leaders, enrich the content, pay attention to actual results and strengthen coordination.
-Conscientiously implement the China-EU political dialogue agreement and constantly improve and strengthen the regular and irregular consultation mechanisms at all levels.
-Deepen relations with EU member states, including new member states, and safeguard the stability and continuity of China-EU overall relations.
(2) Abide by the one-China principle.
The One-China principle is an important part of the political foundation of China-EU relations. Properly handling the Taiwan Province issue is related to the stable development of China-EU relations. China appreciates the EU and its member states’ adherence to the one-China principle, and hopes that the EU will always respect China’s major concerns on the Taiwan Province issue, be alert to the Taiwan Province authorities’ attempts to create "two China’s" and "one China, one Taiwan", and handle Taiwan-related issues carefully:
-Taiwan politicians are not allowed to go to the European Union and member States under any pretext, and they are not allowed to have any official contacts and exchanges with the Taiwan authorities.
-Taiwan is not supported to join international organizations in which only sovereign countries participate. Taiwan’s accession to the World Trade Organization in the name of "Taiwan Province, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu separate customs territories" (referred to as "China Taipei") does not mean that Taiwan Province’s status as a part of China has changed, and its contacts with Taiwan should be strictly limited to unofficial and non-governmental categories.
-Not selling Taiwan weapons and equipment, materials and technology that can be used for military purposes.
(3) Encourage Hong Kong and Macao to cooperate with the EU.
The Central Government of China supports and encourages the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region to develop friendly and cooperative relations with the EU on the basis of equality and mutual benefit in accordance with the principle of "one country, two systems" and the provisions of the Basic Law.
(4) Promoting the EU to understand Tibet.
China encourages people from all walks of life in Europe to visit Tibet; Welcome the EU and its member States to provide support and cooperation for Tibet’s economic, cultural, educational and social development on the premise of respecting China’s laws and regulations; The European side is required not to contact the so-called "Tibetan government in exile" and not to facilitate the separatist activities of the Dalai clique.
(5) Continue the human rights dialogue.
China and Europe have consensus on human rights issues, but there are also differences. China appreciates the EU’s position of adhering to dialogue and not engaging in confrontation, and is willing to continue human rights dialogue, exchanges and cooperation with the EU on the basis of equality and mutual respect, exchange information, enhance understanding, and deepen cooperation including the protection of economic, social and cultural rights and the rights of vulnerable groups.
(6) Strengthening international cooperation.
-Strengthen consultation and coordination on major international and regional hotspot issues.
-Strengthen China-EU cooperation in the United Nations and jointly safeguard the authority of the United Nations; Promote the United Nations to play a leading role in safeguarding world peace and promoting economic and social development, especially in helping developing countries to eradicate poverty, improve the global environment and combat drugs, and support the reform of the United Nations.
-Promoting the process of Asia-Europe cooperation. With the joint efforts of China and Europe, ASEM has become a model of equal cooperation between continents, a channel for exchanges between eastern and western civilizations and a driving force for establishing a new international political and economic order.
-jointly fight terrorism. Both China and Europe are victims of terrorism, and they are opposed to all forms of terrorism, and they are also opposed to linking terrorism with specific countries, ethnic groups or religions. China and Europe should maintain close contact and cooperation in counter-terrorism.
-jointly safeguard the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation system and strengthen consultation and coordination on the basis of mutual respect; Strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of non-proliferation and export control and the prevention of weaponization and arms race in outer space; Work together to solve the problems of anti-personnel mines and explosive remnants of war; Strengthen cooperation in the implementation of international arms control treaties.
(7) enhancing mutual understanding between Chinese and European legislatures.
The relationship between the National People’s Congress of China and the parliaments of EU member states and the European Parliament is an important part of China-EU relations. The Government of China welcomes and supports the legislative bodies of both sides to strengthen exchanges and dialogues on the basis of mutual respect, deepening understanding, seeking common ground while reserving differences and developing cooperation.
(8) Increase exchanges between political parties in China and Europe.
The Government of China would like to see the major political parties, parliamentary groups and regional political party organizations in the European Union increase exchanges and cooperation with the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the basis of the principles of independence, complete equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
Second, the economic aspect
(1) Economic and trade cooperation
China is committed to developing dynamic and long-term stable economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe, and expects the EU to become China’s largest trade and investment partner:
-Give full play to the mechanism of the Mixed Economic and Trade Committee and strengthen the dialogue on economic and trade supervision policies; Consider updating the China-EU Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement in due course; Using WTO rules, properly solve unreasonable restrictions and technical barriers, relax restrictions on high-tech exports, and give full play to the great potential of technical and trade cooperation; Give China "full market economy status" as soon as possible, reduce and eliminate anti-dumping and related discriminatory policies and practices against China, and use "special safeguard measures" with caution; Reasonable compensation for the loss of China’s economic and trade interests due to EU enlargement.
-Strengthen coordination and cooperation between China and Europe in the new round of World Trade Organization negotiations and jointly promote the success of the negotiations.
-strengthen investment dialogue, promote the establishment of bilateral investment promotion agencies, actively guide enterprises of both sides to invest in each other, and expand cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises; Carry out processing trade, project contracting and various labor cooperation, and encourage transnational operation and international production.
-Welcome the EU to increase its development assistance to China, especially in the fields of environmental protection, poverty alleviation, health care and education. At the same time, we also welcome to play a role in strengthening human resources training, especially in the central and western parts of China, and in building China’s capacity to participate in the multilateral trading system.
-Strengthen cooperation in the field of quality supervision, inspection and quarantine, establish a consultation mechanism, and timely solve the problems affecting the market access of products of both sides under the principle of safeguarding safety, hygiene, health and environmental protection.
-Strengthen customs cooperation and sign a China-EU customs agreement in due course.
(2) Financial cooperation
Establish and improve the high-level financial dialogue mechanism between China and Europe, expand policy exchanges between China and Europe’s central banks, and deepen cooperation in preventing financial crisis, anti-terrorism financing and anti-money laundering. China welcomes banks of EU member countries to expand their business in China and hopes to properly solve the market access problem of China financial institutions in the EU.
China will actively examine the applications of insurance institutions of EU member States for business in China in accordance with insurance laws and WTO commitments, and improve the regulatory system.
Strengthen cooperation in securities legislation, market supervision and investment operation, encourage more securities institutions, fund management institutions and other institutional investors from EU member countries to enter the China market, also encourage China securities institutions to enter the EU securities market when conditions are ripe, and actively support China enterprises to enter the EU securities market for financing.
(3) Agricultural cooperation
Strengthen exchanges between China and Europe in agricultural production, agricultural product processing technology and sustainable development, give play to the role of the meeting mechanism of the agricultural working group, and promote cooperation between agricultural research institutions, universities and enterprises of both sides. Encourage EU enterprises to actively participate in agricultural development in central and western China, and invest in high-tech agriculture, deep processing of agricultural products, agricultural infrastructure construction and other fields.
(4) Environmental cooperation
Strengthen communication and cooperation between China and Europe in the field of environmental protection, start the dialogue mechanism between Chinese and European environment ministers, formulate a framework document for environmental protection cooperation, explore the establishment of an environmental cooperation information network, strengthen cooperation between the two sides on environmental legislation and management, climate change, biodiversity protection, biosafety management, trade and environment, and jointly promote the follow-up actions of the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. Encourage exchanges between non-governmental environmental protection organizations; Encourage European enterprises to enter China’s environmental protection market more through equal competition.
(V) Information technology cooperation
Welcome the EU to participate in the informatization construction in China. Strengthen the mechanism of the China-EU Working Group on Information Society Dialogue, carry out exchanges and dialogues on information society strategies, policies and regulations, actively promote trade in information products and industrial and technical cooperation, and encourage the expansion of exchanges on intellectual property rights and technical standards. Promote cooperation in the field of "Digital Olympics".
(VI) Energy cooperation
Expand China-EU cooperation in the fields of energy structure, clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency improvement and energy conservation, promote the exchange of energy development policies, run the China-EU energy cooperation conference well, strengthen the energy working group mechanism, promote energy technology training and demonstration project cooperation, and promote the promotion and transfer of technology.
(7) Traffic cooperation
Establish a regular meeting mechanism between China and the EU under the framework of the China-EU Maritime Agreement, carry out cooperation in maritime transport and maritime affairs, and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO); Deepen and expand exchanges between the two sides in inland river shipping policies, shipping safety and ship standardization, continue to expand technical and management cooperation and exchanges in the highway field, and strengthen dialogue and exchanges in highway transportation legislation.
Deepen exchanges between China and Europe in the field of civil aviation and strengthen cooperation between enterprises in production, technology, management and training.
Third, teaching, science, literature, health and other aspects
(1) Scientific and technological cooperation
Promote Sino-EU scientific and technological cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, achievement sharing and intellectual property protection: strengthen joint development and cooperation of common technologies and major technical equipment of both sides, and encourage China institutions to participate in the EU scientific and technological framework plan; Participate in the Galileo program on the premise of equality and mutual benefit and balance of rights and obligations, and strengthen cooperation in the field of international science; Give full play to the role of the China-EU Steering Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation and run the China-EU Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Forum well; Encourage the cooperation of science and technology intermediaries between the two sides and the flow and training of scientific and technological human resources, and support Chinese and European enterprises to participate in scientific and technological cooperation.
(2) Cultural exchange
With a more open attitude, China will consolidate and deepen its cultural exchanges and cooperation with EU member States, and gradually form a multi-level and all-round cultural exchange framework between China and the EU, EU member States and their local governments, as well as people-to-people and businesses, so as to facilitate the Chinese and European people to understand each other’s excellent culture.
China will gradually establish the China Cultural Center in the capitals of EU member states and Brussels, and welcomes the European side to set up a cultural center in Beijing based on the principle of reciprocity and mutual benefit. Encourage China and Europe to jointly hold high-level cultural exchange activities and explore new modes of cultural industry cooperation; Explore the establishment of a consultation mechanism for China-EU cultural cooperation and jointly hold the "China-EU Cultural Forum".
(3) Educational cooperation
Strengthen and expand exchanges at all levels, establish a consultation mechanism for China-EU education cooperation in a timely manner, strengthen cooperation in mutual recognition of academic degrees, exchange of foreign students, language teaching, exchange of scholarship students, teacher training, etc., run China Europe International Business School well, and train more high-level talents. Encourage and support each other in language teaching.
(D) Health and medical cooperation
Strengthen cooperation in the field of health, especially learn from each other’s experience in prevention and control of major diseases such as SARS and AIDS; Actively carry out exchanges in clinical diagnosis and treatment, epidemiological investigation, analysis and monitoring, laboratory testing, research and development of medicines and vaccines, and training of health personnel; Explore the establishment of a mechanism to inform each other of public health emergencies and provide technical support.
(5) News exchange
Promote exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and European press, and encourage the media of both sides to strengthen mutual understanding and comprehensively and objectively report each other’s situation. Strengthen the contact and communication between the relevant government departments of China and Europe, and exchange the practices and experiences of government news release and handling the relationship between the government and the media.
(6) Personnel exchanges
We will encourage exchanges between Chinese and European personnel and non-governmental organizations, and we are willing to reach an agreement as soon as possible on opening EU countries as destinations for China citizens to travel abroad on the principle of equality and mutual benefit.
We will strengthen and expand consular cooperation between China and Europe, solve the problems of China citizens’ difficulty in applying for entry visas to Europe and their blocked entry as soon as possible through consultation, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, and ensure the normal exchanges between Chinese and European personnel.
Oppose illegal immigration and smuggling activities, strictly enforce the law and crack down on illegal crimes. China and Europe should strengthen consultation and cooperation and properly handle the repatriation and other issues arising from this.
IV. Social, judicial and administrative aspects
(A) labor and social security cooperation
Strengthen cooperation between China and Europe in the fields of migrant employment and migrant workers’ labor rights and interests, and expand coordination in international labor affairs. Negotiate and sign bilateral social insurance agreements between China and Europe, implement social security cooperation projects between China and Europe, and expand exchanges in various social insurance.
(2) Judicial exchanges
On the basis of equality and mutual respect, we will continue to carry out China-EU legal and judicial cooperation projects and expand related cooperation fields, expand exchanges in key areas such as judicial reform, and explore judicial cooperation in combating transnational crimes. Strengthen the exchange of experience in the field of legal supervision between China and Europe, and study the establishment of an annual meeting system for senior judicial officials between China and Europe.
(3) Police cooperation
Establish and strengthen exchanges with EU institutions and EUROPOL, expand substantive cooperation with law enforcement departments of EU member States, and strengthen joint investigation and case handling and information exchange under the legal framework of both sides. Jointly support and actively participate in UN peacekeeping and other operations.
(4) Administrative cooperation
Exchange experience in transforming government functions and deepening the reform of personnel system, explore the establishment of China-EU personnel administrative cooperation mechanism, and carry out exchanges on the construction of civil service system and the development of human resources.
V. Military aspects
Maintain high-level military exchanges between China and Europe, gradually improve and develop the strategic security consultation mechanism, expand exchanges between military professional groups, and increase officer training and defense research exchanges.
The EU should lift the ban on arms sales to China at an early date, so as to clear the way for broadening the military-technical cooperation between China and the EU.
