China and the EU

Latest news about China and the European Union

The EU’s China Policy is to broaden and deepen political dialogue with China, both bilaterally and on the world stage; to support China's transition to an open society based upon the rule of law and respect for human rights; to encourage the ongoing integration of China in the world economy through bringing it fully into the world trading system, and supporting the process of economic and social reforms; and to raise the EU's profile in China.

EU group slams protectionism in China wine row — 22 August 2012, 12:58 CET

A European business group on Wednesday criticised Chinese calls to probe EU wine imports as "protectionist", as a dispute between the major trading partners threatened to escalate.

Brussels launches campaign against counterfeit toys — 02 August 2012, 12:21 CET

The European Commission launched a new campaign Wednesday against counterfeit toys, which are mostly made in China and can pose health risks to children.

Chinese and EU solar makers at war over dumping — 27 July 2012, 11:35 CET

A host of EU solar makers have called on the Commission to probe alleged dumping practices by its Chinese rivals, as Beijing warns an investigation could trigger a trade war.

China criticises EU trade 'discrimination' — 12 July 2012, 12:23 CET

China on Thursday criticised Europe's refusal to ease two long-time trade restrictions as "discrimination", following a high-level meeting between the two sides this week.

China voices support for eurozone — 10 July 2012, 12:11 CET

China says it believe Europe can resolve its debt crisis, as the two sides hold a high-level meeting in Beijing that also covered thorny issues such as Syria, Iran and human rights.

Ashton heads for EU-China talks in Beijing — 08 July 2012, 13:17 CET

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton left Sunday for Beijing where she will hold talks on foreign affairs and security issues on the first leg of a five-day Asian tour.

Ashton to attend EU-China Dialogue in Beijing — 07 July 2012, 14:27 CET

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will visit Beijing on Monday and Tuesday for talks aimed at boosting coordination on foreign affairs and security, a European diplomatic source said.

China defends limits on rare earths exports — 28 June 2012, 11:12 CET

China has defended its limits on exports of rare earths, after major trading partners sought litigation through the World Trade Organization in a months-long dispute.

China welcomes Spanish bank bailout — 11 June 2012, 11:02 CET

China, a major holder of European debt, on Monday welcomed a eurozone decision to lend Spain up to 100 billion euros ($125 billion) to save its banks, saying it would help lift confidence.

China's rising costs deter European business: survey — 29 May 2012, 11:51 CET

One in five European companies operating in China may invest elsewhere in the future as wages are getting too high and regulations too cumbersome, according to a poll released Tuesday.

RAPEX in 2011 - guide — 08 May 2012, 14:03 CET

EU consumers want to be sure that the products - whether produced in the EU or imported from third-countries - are safe. The RAPEX 2011 Report shows that the EU's rapid alert system for non-food dangerous products ("RAPEX") is increasingly effective. Dangerous products are detected earlier and more effectively and are more promptly removed from the EU market. This process involves a chain of actions including upstream efforts to design out risks at source, better risk assessment and close co-operation between EU authorities, notably customs, to identify risks at the points of entry.

EU WTO challenge to China's export restrictions on rare earths - guide — 13 March 2012, 22:00 CET

The European Union has launched a second challenge of China's export restrictions on raw materials including 17 rare earths, as well as tungsten and molybdenum. Together with the US and Japan, the EU formally requested dispute settlement consultations with China in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This follows a successful EU challenge at the WTO on similar restrictions for other raw materials earlier this year.

China - EU factsheet — 14 February 2012, 10:14 CET

The European Union is looking to strengthen its partnership with China at the fourteenth EU-China summit, to take place in Beijing on 14 February 2012. The EU will be represented by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. The People's Republic of China will be represented by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

WTO Case on export restrictions of raw materials in China - guide — 31 January 2012, 23:19 CET

The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on 30 January confirmed the findings made by a Panel in July 2011 that China's export restrictions on several industrial raw materials are in breach of WTO rules. The WTO found that China's export restrictions are not justified for reasons of environmental protection or conservation policy. Today's final ruling was welcomed by Europe's trade chief.

2009 customs detentions of goods suspected of infringing Intellectual Property Right (IPR) - guide — 22 July 2010, 17:32 CET

In 2009, EU Customs took action in 43,500 cases involving several million products suspected of being counterfeited or pirated at the external borders of the EU. This is according to the European Commission’s annual report on EU Customs Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), which was published today. Cigarettes, clothing and brand labels were among the main articles stopped by customs on suspicion of IPR infringements. However, products for daily use and posing a potential danger to citizens’ health, such as shampoos, toothpaste, toys, medicines or household appliances, also accounted for a significant part. Today’s report gives statistics on the type, origin and transport method of IPR infringing products stopped at the external borders.

EU restricts imports of plants from China — 11 May 2010, 17:39 CET

The European Union has decided to impose stricter measures for the import from China of plants hosting the harmful citrus long horn beetle, an insect that is not native to Europe and can attack a wide range of plants.

Community rapid information system for dangerous products (RAPEX) - briefing — 15 April 2010, 15:00 CET

The number of dangerous consumer products notified through the EU's rapid alert system for non-food dangerous products ("RAPEX") rose by 7% in 2009 compared to 2008, the European Commission's annual RAPEX report shows today. This rise from 1866 notifications in 2008 to 1993 last year shows that the capacity of the RAPEX system has increased again in 2009, following more effective market surveillance by Member States. European businesses are also taking their responsibilities in the consumer product safety area more seriously and recall their unsafe products from the market more readily. They also begin to use the dedicated rapid alert system for business ('Business Application') more systematically. Toys, clothing and motor vehicles were the most frequently notified products in 2009. In addition, the results of an EU market surveillance exercise, involving 13 countries checking the safety of toys, were also presented today, and show that around 20% did not comply with the relevant safety requirements.

The EU's Trade Relationship with China — 08 July 2011, 15:52 CET

China is the single most important challenge for EU trade policy. China has re-emerged as the world's third economy and the biggest exporter in the global economy, but also an increasingly important political power. EU-China trade has increased dramatically in recent years. China is now the EU's 2nd trading partner behind the USA and the EU's biggest source of imports by far. The EU is also China's biggest trading partner.

EU requests WTO consultations on Chinese export restrictions on raw materials - briefing — 23 June 2009, 16:05 CET

China applies export restrictions - quotas and export duties - on key raw materials. The European Commission says these restrictions distort competition and increase global prices, as some of these resources cannot be found elsewhere. Downstream industries in China therefore have access to cheaper materials than their competitors outside China. That is not a level playing field, and the EU and U.S. have asked for consultations with China at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

EU and China agreements to strengthen cooperation on protecting Intellectual Property Rights and on preventing illicit imports of chemical substances used for synthetic drug production - briefing — 30 January 2009, 14:19 CET

Commissioner Kovacs, responsible for Taxation and Customs, today signed an Action Plan with the Chinese Ambassador Song to strengthen customs cooperation on protecting Intellectual Property Rights. They also signed an agreement to enhance customs co-operation in monitoring trade and preventing trafficking and the diversion of drug precursors (chemicals that are essential to the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs).

EU - US - China summit on product safety - briefing — 17 November 2008, 22:58 CET

Following the successful "Joint U.S.-EU-China Initiative on Consumer Product Safety Compliance" held in China in September 2008, the product safety authorities of the European Union (European Commission, EC), the U.S. (Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC) and China (General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, AQSIQ) held a summit to strengthen their trilateral cooperation in this area.

EU-China trade in facts and figures — 23 September 2008, 15:04 CET

China is now the third biggest national exporter in the global economy after Germany and the US. China now accounts for about 8 % of all imports and 12% of all exports in world trade in goods. More than half of China's exports are currently capitalised by foreign companies. Most of this capitalisation comes from neighbouring Asian companies in Japan and South Korea. 8% of it is European.

Chinese treatment of foreign financial information providers - EU WTO request — 03 March 2008, 23:19 CET

The European Union has formally requested consultations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over measures that affect the operation of foreign financial information suppliers in China. China has prevented foreign suppliers of financial information services from providing their services directly to their clients. They are now required to operate through an agent that is a branch of Xinhua itself. Moreover, Xinhua has recently launched a financial information service in direct competition with foreign suppliers. The European Commission had tried to solve the issue through cooperation and dialogue, but without success. The United States has also requested consultations at the WTO over this issue.

EU Trade with India and China — 26 November 2007, 14:44 CET

EU27 trade with China grew by 150% between 2000 and 2006. EU Trade with India up by 80%.

China - EU trade — 24 October 2007, 12:29 CET

The European Union and China, two of the biggest markets in the world, have everything to gain by deepening their commercial ties. Since 1978, bilateral trade has increased more than 60 fold and reached approximately EUR 254 billion in 2006 (Eurostat).