Initiative gives China and EU route to greater cooperation
China Watch |
Updated: 2018-05-31 14:38
Participants of the 16th EU-China Civil Society Round Table take group photo in Varna, Bulgaria on May 28. [Photo provided by European Economic and Social Committee]
China and the European Union have the leverage to expand synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and the bloc's regional strategy across the Eurasian continent, a senior EU official said.
"There are clear inter-linkages between both the Belt and Road Initiative and the future Euro-Asian Connectivity Strategy," said Luca Jahier, president of the European Economic and Social Committee at the 16th EU-China Civil Society Round Table held over two days in Varna, Bulgaria from May 28.
"If executed in the right way, more investment in public infrastructure links between us would unleash growth potential with benefits for all," he said.
This is the first time a senior EU official offered such an expanding synergy proposal after China and the EU agreed to cooperate under the framework of the initiative and the multi-billion-euro European Investment Scheme several years ago.
The Euro-Asian Connectivity Strategy will be the EU's new regional initiative aiming to boost the linkage between the 28-member bloc and Asia.
Though Jahier did not go into details on how the two sides could deepen the cooperation, but China and the EU are expected to discuss the possibility at the annual summit scheduled in Beijing this summer.
China sent a delegation, headed by Yang Chonghui, vice-president of the China Economic and Social Council to the Varna meeting. The two sides signed a declaration at the meeting and it will be submitted at the upcoming summit.
China Railway Express transports cargo between China and European countries. [Wei Xiaohao / Asianewsphoto]
They noted with deep concern the announcement by the United States administration of unilateral import tariffs, warning that these tariffs could lead to the undermining of the rules-based multilateral trading system.
They also expressed their profound concern that this not only disrupts world trade, but even seriously undermines the authority and credibility of the multilateral trading system with the WTO at the core.
They called for China and the EU to take concerted action to build an open world economy, oppose protectionism, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.
"It is firmly of the opinion that the EU and China must work together to safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the WTO," the declaration cited.
Related:The Joint Statement of 16th meeting of the China-EU Round Table (full text)
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
Participants of the 16th EU-China Civil Society Round Table take group photo in Varna, Bulgaria on May 28. [Photo provided by European Economic and Social Committee]
China and the European Union have the leverage to expand synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and the bloc's regional strategy across the Eurasian continent, a senior EU official said.
"There are clear inter-linkages between both the Belt and Road Initiative and the future Euro-Asian Connectivity Strategy," said Luca Jahier, president of the European Economic and Social Committee at the 16th EU-China Civil Society Round Table held over two days in Varna, Bulgaria from May 28.
"If executed in the right way, more investment in public infrastructure links between us would unleash growth potential with benefits for all," he said.
This is the first time a senior EU official offered such an expanding synergy proposal after China and the EU agreed to cooperate under the framework of the initiative and the multi-billion-euro European Investment Scheme several years ago.
The Euro-Asian Connectivity Strategy will be the EU's new regional initiative aiming to boost the linkage between the 28-member bloc and Asia.
Though Jahier did not go into details on how the two sides could deepen the cooperation, but China and the EU are expected to discuss the possibility at the annual summit scheduled in Beijing this summer.
China sent a delegation, headed by Yang Chonghui, vice-president of the China Economic and Social Council to the Varna meeting. The two sides signed a declaration at the meeting and it will be submitted at the upcoming summit.
China Railway Express transports cargo between China and European countries. [Wei Xiaohao / Asianewsphoto]
They noted with deep concern the announcement by the United States administration of unilateral import tariffs, warning that these tariffs could lead to the undermining of the rules-based multilateral trading system.
They also expressed their profound concern that this not only disrupts world trade, but even seriously undermines the authority and credibility of the multilateral trading system with the WTO at the core.
They called for China and the EU to take concerted action to build an open world economy, oppose protectionism, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.
"It is firmly of the opinion that the EU and China must work together to safeguard the authority and effectiveness of the WTO," the declaration cited.
Related:The Joint Statement of 16th meeting of the China-EU Round Table (full text)
All rights reserved. Copying or sharing of any content for other than personal use is prohibited without prior written permission.
