EU And China Meet For Talks On IP, Market Access

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

08 November 2005

Chinese Trade Minister Bo Xilai met with Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson and Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner in Brussels last week.

In bilateral meetings and a formal sitting of the EC-China Economic and Trade Joint Committee, the Commission and Chinese representatives discussed all aspects of the ever-increasing relationship between China and the EU, with particular attention to economic and trade matters. Talks focused on intensive cooperation between the Commission and China in the twenty ongoing technical ‘dialogues’ in areas ranging from the environment and energy to education and intellectual property rights.

Talks with Commissioner Mandelson focussed on the Doha Round, market access for EU businesses in China, the protection of intellectual property rights in China and China’s progress towards Market Economy Status.

Speaking after the meeting, the European Trade Commissioner announced that:

“This has been an important year in EU-China trade relations. EU-China trade is likely to continue to break records in 2005. China represents a formidable challenge to Europe but it is also a growing market for the products Europe produces best. Today’s talks have reinforced the need for greater ambition from both sides, but also our mutual commitment to ensuring that competition and cooperation continue to go hand in hand.”

The Commission has stated that it is committed to working together with the Chinese authorities to improve access for EU companies to the Chinese market, and to improve the protection of intellectual property rights in China to give extra confidence to EU investors.

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