Meeting in Beijing for the annual EU-China summit leaders of both sides have agreed to take steps to make it easier for European and Chinese people to have closer contacts.

The timing is significant as 2012 has been named the EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue. In addition talks were also held on ways of improving cooperation on economic growth, climate change and energy security. At the summit the EU was represented by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. China was represented by Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council. 

The web documentary you can access below gives an overview of some of the main issues in the EU-China relationship – trade, people contact and areas of common concern like climate change.

Click to watch documentary

 In a Joint Press Communiqué following the 14 February meeting, EU and Chinese leaders emphasised that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two has grown both in width and in depth.

People to people contacts

All of those present expressed satisfaction with the success of the EU-China Year of Youth in 2011 and welcomed the recent launch of the EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue in 2012.

They agreed to make efforts to advance exchanges and cooperation on sustainable tourism, and to work for the signing of the Joint Statement between the European Commission and the China National Tourism Administration on Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Tourism as soon as possible.

Recognising the significant benefits accruing from enhanced people-to-people contacts, the leaders agreed to explore the possibility of facilitating mobility for Chinese and EU citizens, and strengthening cooperation on illegal immigration, while the EU and China will give special attention to the possibility of mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports.

The two sides agreed to explore the possibilities to establish a EU-China Center, as a one-stop center of information and activities between China and the EU.

Beijing and Brussels mutual support

Both sides agreed to take a positive view of each other's development and render relevant support. China reaffirmed its continued support for the EU integration process. The EU side noted the sustained, steady and rapid growth of the Chinese economy as well as its important contribution to the global growth and reaffirmed its support for China's peaceful development and respect for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Human rights issues

In addition the EU and China emphasised the importance of promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law. Both sides looked forward to the strengthening of the EU-China dialogue and cooperation on human rights based on equality and mutual respect and expressed their readiness to work together for constant progress on the ground.

Both sides confirmed their commitment to cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms.

Trade and economic relations

They also recognised that building closer EU-China economic relations is of great significance to China, the EU and the world economy. Both sides agreed to enhance and deepen the bilateral dialogue and practical cooperation in the fields of macro-economy, trade and finance.

The two sides highlighted positive developments in the bilateral trade and investment relationship as a cornerstone of the strategic partnership. Among many mutually beneficial features of the relationship this was demonstrated by the fact that mutual trade was larger than ever before, economic integration had withstood pressures during the international crisis, Europe remained China's biggest export destination, and China was the EU's fastest developing export market.

In addition they welcomed companies' readiness to trade and invest in each other's economies. Leaders agreed that a rich in substance EU-China investment agreement would promote and facilitate investment in both directions.

Energy cooperation

China and the EU agreed to further deepen cooperation on energy. The two sides welcomed and supported the convening of a EU-China High Level Energy Meeting in June, in which the two sides will have in-depth exchanges on energy security and energy science and technology, as well as China's and the EU's energy development strategies and plans, with a view to identifying the way forward and key areas for future practical cooperation.

They agreed to further deepen cooperation in energy technology and continue to expand the support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) of both sides in carrying out cooperation in energy-related R&D and innovation

In the framework of the EU-China Climate Change Partnership, the two sides agreed to further intensify practical cooperation on issues with common concerns. Furthermore, they confirmed their commitment to cooperate on carbon capture and storage

Both sides welcomed progress made and agreed to further strengthen the cooperation in the context of the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement and to enhance the exchange of young researchers

Science and Technology

Both sides welcomed progress made and agreed to further strengthen the cooperation in the context of the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement and to enhance the exchange of young researchers. They also agreed to engage in a broader exchange building on and ensuring synergy between existing cooperation fora dealing with science and technology innovation, with a view to sharing experience on best practices and identifying areas for cooperation, in particular to promote the effective development and deployment of technology innovative solutions to major societal challenges of common interest.

The two sides reaffirmed that they will continue the cooperation on the Civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-GALILEO following the 2003 Agreement, with an effort to make positive progress in the cooperation, and to seek and foster new cooperation areas in satellite navigation science and its application.

International cooperation

The two sides are determined to enhance coordination and cooperation bilaterally and in such international institutions as the United Nations and the G20 and on major issues including global economic governance, financial stability, strengthening financial regulation, energy security, food safety and security, climate change and nuclear safety.

The two sides support the G20, as the premier forum of international economic cooperation, in playing a greater role in global economic governance. In addition they recognized the importance of achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals and the imperative to reduce global poverty. Both sides will support the international community in achieving the UN MDGs.

Leaders exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern such as the Iranian nuclear issue, North Africa, Syria, the Middle East, the Korean Peninsula and Burma / Myanmar and expressed the willingness to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to promote peace and security globally, such as counter-piracy and non-proliferation, and within their respective regions. They agreed that, in view of the fast changes taking place in today’s world, China and the EU should work in closer cooperation regarding regional and global issues.

Background

The EU first established relations with China in 1975, while a trade agreement was in place 10 years later. Since then relations have gone from strength to strength. Now strategic partners, trade between the two means that they form the second largest economic relationship in the world.

Until now the EU-China Strategic Partnership has been built on two pillars: the high level strategic dialogue and the high level economic and trade dialogue. During the Beijing summit, a third area of collaboration will be launched – a high level people-to-people dialogue.

• Press Communiqué of the 14th EU-China Summit
• EU-China Year of Intercultural Dialogue
• EU Relations with China
• EU Delegation to China