The 22nd session of EU-China mixed committee on trade and economy was held in Brussels on Jun 12. China’s Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero Waldner, and European trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, co-chaired the meeting. Over 50 representatives from National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Information Industry, General Administration of Quality Supervision，Inspection and Quarantine, Xinhua Agency, China Banking Regulatory Commission, State Administration of Foreign Exchange and EU were present at the meeting. The two parties exchanged views and negotiated honestly, broadly and deeply. 12 consensuses were gained in the meeting on perfecting talks of Sino-EU trade and economic cooperation agreement singed in 1985, China’s market economy status, textile agreement, steel trade and IPR protection.

It was the center topic for the mixed committee of perfecting Sino-EU trade and economic agreement talks of 1985. Minister Bo expressed that EU was the biggest trading partner, the largest technique import source, as well as the 4th biggest direct investor of China. Perfecting the mentioned agreement was the important target made by China and EU’s leaders during the 9th session and the talks was successfully launched though 12 turns of talks with reached consensus. It was significant for long-term plan on Sino-EU cooperation, as well as for creating stable and foreseeable legal basement. Mr. Mandelson expressed that EU was encouraged and was with full confidence on continue to developing Sino-EU trade and economic relations.

About trade imbalance, EU’s great concern, Minister Bo said that the trade between the two parties was generally balanced. Although EU had trade deficit in good trade, it had predominance on service trade and investment benefit gained from China, as a result the trade benefit was balanced. China appealed EU to undertake positive measures on releasing Chian’s export restrict on high-tech product and high-technology. The two parties agreed to start work of high-tech trade work group under the committee soon, so as to convenient bilateral high-tech trade. They also agreed to set up the dialogue mechanism on expanding EU’s export to China and improving trade balance.

As for the textile trade, the two parties highly appraised MOU on Sino-EU textile trade signed in 2005 and believed that it was the achievement gained through positive and friendly talks setting on the complete strategic cooperative relationship. The two parties adhere faithfully to the MOU so as to realize liberalization in bilateral textile trade, keep dialogue and cooperation in such field, and maintain stable and healthy development. The consensus was coordinated with the willing and benefit of the two parties, and benefit for deepening further cooperation on textile production and trade field.

As for China’s steel export, Minister Bo said that China did not intend to pursue great export volume of steel, but attached importance on stabilizing trading environment. China made positive effort on controlling the export of high energy consuming and resource product. Through deep talks, the two parties agreed to hold the second informal dialogue centering on new development in such field. The consensus was an effective way for guaranteeing normal and orderly steel trade development between China and EU, as well as avoiding trade friction that might be caused.

As for poultry meat export, EU confirmed to put forward the suggestion on allowing China to export cooked poultry meat, and resume the trade recently. It was the first time of resuming China’s poultry meat export to EU since it was prohibited in 2004 when bird flu broke out in China.

As fro market economy status, Minister Bo said that the market economic pattern was diversified and there was no fixed mode and rigid standard. China had gained huge achievement in market economy system development which should be recognized. It was the important power of promotion Sino-EU trade and economic relations and it coordinated with common benefit. Mr. Mandelson said that EU had noticed China’s huge achievement and would represent it in the renewed evaluation report on China’s market economy status. EU promised to develop such work with a constructive manner.

The two parties agreed to set up Sino-EU trade and economic cooperation network as soon as possible, so as to create a free information service platform for the enterprises of the two parties on strengthening information exchange and cooperation.

During the meeting, the two parties discussed on country strategy that EU issued recently on developing cooperation with China. According to the strategy, EU would provide grant aid to China from 2007 to 2013 which focused on fields such as economy, trade and social development, environment and exploration of human resource, and administration and capability construction.