Press Release: EU-China relations: Commission sets out its strategy

The European Commission has agreed on an ambitious new agenda for EU-China relations for the coming years. The new strategy seeks to respond to China’s re-emergence as a global economic and political power. The EU’s fundamental approach to China remains one of engagement and partnership. A closer strategic partnership means mutual responsibilities increase. This initiative sets out a comprehensive approach, identifying as priorities support for China’s transition towards a more open and plural society, sustainable development, including co-operation with China on energy issues, climate change and international development; trade and economic relations; strengthening bilateral co-operation, including on science and technology, and migration; and the promotion of international security, both in East Asia and beyond and more broadly on non-proliferation issues. It is accompanied by a trade policy paper setting out the challenges of our trade and investment relations in more detail.